New measures have the potential to transform the health of our nation, and begin turning the tables on the type 2 diabetes time bomb.
We welcome the publication of the Government’s Childhood Obesity Plan Chapter 2, and their ambitious commitment to halving childhood obesity by 2030. As one of a range of proposed measures, Chapter 2 outlines plans for clear, consistent calorie labelling in the out-of-home sector – a focus of our Food Upfront Campaign.
Chris Askew, our Chief Executive, said:
“We welcome the ambitious range of measures outlined by the Government in their commitment to tackling the childhood obesity crisis facing the UK. These measures – if translated into legislation and action – have the potential to transform the health of our nation, and begin turning the tables on the type 2 diabetes time bomb we currently sit upon.
“In particular, we welcome the proposed commitment to clear, consistent calorie labelling in restaurants, cafes and takeaways. Research tells us that having this information available helps consumers make healthier choices, so this could, in practice, be an incredibly positive step in the right direction.
“With one in three children either overweight or obese before they leave primary school, it’s clear that bold, decisive action needs to be taken. Being overweight as a child can significantly increase your risk of developing serious conditions like type 2 diabetes in the future.
“The challenge now will be ensuring that the voices of all those who champion making the healthy choice the easy choice are listened to and for these commitments to become a reality. We hope this second chapter in the Childhood Obesity Plan is the start of a new chapter in our approach to tackling obesity – and in turn type 2 diabetes – across the UK.”
