The Food Foundation's response to The Lancet's obesity report, published today

The Food Foundation's response to The Lancet's obesity report, published today.

Hannah Brinsden, Head of Policy and Advocacy, The Food Foundation, said, “The Lancet’s report on obesity, published today, is yet more evidence that obesity prevention is simply not being taken seriously enough. The UK obesity rate has doubled since 1990, with 17 million Britons now living with obesity. There has also been a particularly disturbing surge amongst the UK’s schoolchildren. This must be an urgent warning to our politicians to take more action.  

“Earlier this week over 60 health experts asked the Chancellor to prioritise health in next week's budget, and hopefully these new figures add to the case for action. We know what needs to be done to reduce obesity rates – healthier foods should be the affordable option, we need better advertising regulation, regulatory levers on the  food industry such as taxes, better access to free school meals and the Healthy Start Scheme, improved public sector food, and stronger horticulture policies. These steps would go a long way towards ensuring everyone has access to and can afford a healthy diet. Many of thesepolicies can and should be implemented now.”