How can the Govt help reduce obesity rates? MPs question experts
MPs will examine ways that the Government could intervene in the food system to reduce rates of obesity, and will look at which previous policies have and haven’t worked, and why.
Meeting details
A first panel of witnesses includes broadcaster and author Professor Chris van Tulleken, and experts from Nesta, the Health Action Research Group and City St George’s University.
There may be questions around how the Government can help the public understand the various definitions around “healthy” or “unhealthy” food, whether it could take a more holistic approach to giving advice about a healthy diet, and the level of understanding of ‘ultra-processed foods’.
Witnesses are likely to be asked about interventions that government could make to incentivise healthy shopping choices and reduce the consumption of unhealthy products, such a food labelling, restrictions on advertising or volume promotions like ‘buy one get one free’, and how standards can be enforced.
In the second half of this session, the Committee will question experts on the outcomes of specific policies, including the ‘sugar tax’ on soft drinks, the forthcoming 9pm watershed on TV adverts, and what approach the Government could take towards ‘brand advertising’, as opposed to advertising for specific products.
The latest available research on obesity rates (from 2022) showed that 28% of adults in England were living with obesity and a further 36% were overweight, making a total of 64% who were living with excess weight. This total figure was up from 53% in 1993.