British Journal of Sports Medicine editorial attacks focus on exercise rather than unhealthy food in tackling obesity

Responding to an editorial in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, published today, which puts the case for focusing on unhealthy eating rather than exercise in tackling obesity, Malcolm Clark (co-ordinator of the Children's Food Campaign) said:

“For too long companies have got away with pretending the nutritional deficiencies of their products can be offset by putting money into short-term measures to promote physical activity, or by associating their brands with major sporting events.  These companies have used their multi-million pound marketing budgets to confuse children and their parents; swelling their own profits at the cost of the nation’s future health.  It’s time we put the focus back onto the sugar and fat content of the food and drink marketed at children, and the frequency with which such products are consumed.  Local authorities can lead the way by making their leisure centres and parks ‘healthy havens’, and by demanding more from the commercial relationships they enter into.  But ultimately we need national measures – including a duty on sugary drinks and consistent marketing rules across all forms of media – to help provide an environment where healthy life styles can thrive.”

Sustain runs the Children's Food Campaign