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Tackling Obesity — [Peter Dowd in the Chair]
27 February 2024
Lead MP
David Evennett
Bexleyheath and Crayford
Con
Responding Minister
Andrea Leadsom
Tags
NHSEconomy
Word Count: 8413
Other Contributors: 8
At a Glance
David Evennett raised concerns about tackling obesity — [peter dowd in the chair] in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
Evennett calls for a cross-party approach to tackle obesity and suggests measures such as encouraging healthier food options, implementing pre-watershed bans on junk food advertising, expanding the sugar tax, and restricting unhealthy foods placement in supermarkets. He also requests that the Government take action based on recommendations from health experts.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Mr. David Evennett is concerned about the rising obesity rates in the UK, citing statistics from the World Health Organisation that worldwide obesity has nearly tripled since 1975. He notes that in the UK, almost one-third of adults are obese and over half of men are either overweight or obese, with higher rates among the lowest socioeconomic groups. Evennett also highlights the health risks associated with obesity, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, liver disease, and cancer, along with the economic impact estimated at £98 billion in 2023. He mentions that childhood obesity has worsened post-pandemic, with Bexley being one of the worst-performing boroughs in south-east London.
Amy Callaghan
SNP
Glasgow Central
Discussed the link between poverty and obesity, highlighting that 67% of adults in Scotland are overweight and a third of children at risk. Emphasised the Scottish Government's initiatives to mitigate health inequalities such as providing free prescriptions, school meals, childcare, period products, university education, and bus travel for those under 22 and over 60.
Andrew Selous
Con
Dover
Mr Selous highlighted the UK's poor diet compared to European nations, citing a report stating that over half of dietary energy in the UK comes from highly processed foods. He noted that £300 million was spent on unhealthy food advertising annually, while only £16 million per day went towards promoting fruit and vegetables. Only 31% of adults meet the five-a-day recommendation for fruits and vegetables, a challenge particularly severe among teenagers where it falls to just 8%. Mr Selous also advocated for children learning to cook properly and recommended eliminating misleading packaging labels such as 'natural' or 'organic'. He suggested that businesses should include health considerations alongside environmental, social, and governance factors. Additionally, he called for clearer calorie information in restaurants and praised local markets and supermarkets providing fresh produce at good prices.
Fleur Anderson
Lab
Putney
Fleur Anderson highlighted the issue of childhood obesity, noting that two in every five children in England are overweight or obese by the time they finish primary school. She mentioned specific statistics from Wandsworth Borough Council where 20% of reception-age children and 37.7% of year 6 children are overweight or living with obesity. Anderson emphasised the need for early intervention, continuation of support through secondary education, tackling takeaway shops near schools, promoting healthy eating through programmes like Bags of Taste, and implementing initiatives such as the Daily Mile.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Commends the right hon. Gentleman for securing the debate, highlights that 65% of adults in Northern Ireland are obese according to the Department of Health, stresses the need for a consultation on making healthier food more affordable, and suggests partnership with the agrifood sector as well as the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs.
Maggie Throup
Lab
Erewash
Ms Throup highlighted the rising obesity rates, with 30% of adults and 25% of children starting school being obese or overweight. She stressed the need for government intervention to curb unhealthy food advertising aimed at children, noting that top food manufacturers spend significant amounts on online ads associated with childhood obesity.
Preet Kaur Gill
Lab Co-op
Birmingham Edgbaston
Ms. Preet Kaur Gill highlighted the obesity epidemic, noting that over 60% of people are overweight and one in four children in England is obese by primary school age. She criticised the government's approach to tackling obesity, arguing for measures beyond simply providing information on nutrition. Ms. Gill also raised concerns about the delay in implementing policies on junk food advertising and questioned the Government's commitment to halving childhood obesity rates by 2030.
Sarah Dyke
Lib Dem
Glastonbury and Somerton
Ms Dyke praised the soft drinks levy for reducing sugar levels in soft drinks by 46% since its introduction in 2016. She highlighted that it has prevented about 5,000 cases of obesity among year 6 girls and reduced hospital admissions for tooth decay. Ms Dyke argued that blaming individuals does not work and called for a food system prioritising health over cost and supporting local farmers. She proposed restrictions on junk food advertising, public sector procurement strategies benefiting local producers, and empowering local authorities to develop tailored strategies.
Stephen Timms
Lab
East Ham
Stephen Timms acknowledges the importance of tackling obesity and its impact on society, citing research that demonstrates an increase in unhealthy food consumption among children. He highlights that many people struggle to afford healthy options and calls for policies to address this issue.
Government Response
Andrea Leadsom
Government Response
I congratulate my right hon. Friend the Member for Bexleyheath and Crayford on raising this important issue. Two thirds of adults in the UK are overweight or living with obesity, increasing their risk of serious diseases. Obesity-related conditions cost the NHS £6.5 billion annually and wider society over £90 billion. Prevention is key; establishing healthy eating patterns early can help prevent obesity later in life. Nearly one in 10 children starting primary school are already obese, doubling to nearly one in five by the time they leave. The Government's programme includes supporting families through advice and better information, promoting physical activity, supporting those who are overweight or obese to achieve a healthier weight, and working with the food industry. Specific actions include calorie labelling on websites and delivery apps for large restaurants, cafés, and takeaways; investing £600 million in school sports over the next two years; delivering a free NHS weight loss app; and exploring ways to increase access to new weight loss drugs. The Government remains committed to introducing further advertising restrictions to reduce marketing of less healthy foods to children and restricting volume price promotions on unhealthy food from October 2024.
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.