This week in Parliament I participated in a debate on tackling obesity. According to the British Heart Foundation, 29 per cent of adults in Erewash are obese.
The effects of obesity can be devastating. Obesity is a force multiplier on cardiovascular disease, strokes, type 2 diabetes, cancer and fatty liver disease.
The combined cost of obesity to the Treasury, that’s to the NHS, to the Department of Work and Pensions and the economy as a whole, is projected to be £58bn per year. The Government must take drastic action to tackle the rise of obesity in this country.
During the debate I urged the Government to immediately address the advertising and marketing of unhealthy food towards children. I am particularly concerned about this issue given that in 2022 it was estimated that food manufacturers spent £55 million on online adverts for food and drink products associated with childhood obesity.
In her response, the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State in the Department of Health and Social Care, Rt Hon Andrea Leadsom MP, outlined that the Government remains committed to introducing further advertising restrictions to reduce the marketing of less healthy foods to children.
The Minister for Public Health also stated that the Government intends to bring in restrictions on volume price promotions, such as three for the price of two, on less healthy foods in October next year. Whilst this is promising, the Government must be brave and tackle obesity immediately for the sake of the individual, the NHS and the economy.
You can view my contribution to the debate via this link.