Britain is now the most obese country in Europe

Commenting on the news that Britain is now the most obese country in Europe, Richard Watts of the Children's Food Campaign said:
 
"Health experts have been saying for years that we face an obesity timebomb.  This timebomb now seems to be exploding.  These shocking figures are yet more evidence we need to take urgent steps to improve our diet and health.  In particular the Government should protect children from junk food TV advertising before 9pm."

 

Notes:

Other useful statistics:

• One in three children is now obese or overweight.[i] 
  
• Obesity in under-11s has risen by over 40% in ten years.[ii]
  
• The Chief Medical Officer has compared the crisis in children's diets to a health 'time bomb' which must be defused.[iii]
  
• The former Chair of the Food Standards Agency (FSA) has warned that for the first time in more than a century, life expectancy may fall, with the real prospect that parents may outlive their children.[iv] 
  
• The International Obesity Task Force estimates that each year in England 220,000 additional children become overweight or obese.[v]

The Children's Food Campaign wants to improve children's health and well-being through better food - and food teaching - in schools and protecting children from junk food marketing.  We are supported by over 300 organisations, almost 300 MPs and 12,000 members of the public.  We were behind the ground-breaking Children's Food Bill introduced into Parliament last year.

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[i]  National Audit Office, Healthcare Commission, Audit Commission (2006); Tackling Childhood Obesity – First Steps.

[ii]  As above.

[iii] Chief Medical Officer, (2003), Health Check: On the state of public health – Annual Report 2002, Department of Health.

[iv] 'Official: fat epidemic will cut life expectancy', The Observer, 9 November 2003.

[v]  International Obesity Task Force estimate is based on Health Survey for England 2002 figures, using UK definitions of overweight & obesity.