Big Way Of Life

The UK Government should take a leaf out of Michelle Obama’s book and get tougher on childhood obesity, says the Guardian newspaper.

Michelle Obama, wife of US President Barack Obama, recently addressed mayors from across the US on how obesity was becoming such a problem that it threatened the country’s economy, interfered with children’s education and would put an abnormal strain on the healthcare system.

However, the First Lady did acknowledge that it is not always easy to ensure you and your family eats healthily. She said: “It wasn't that long ago that I was juggling a full-time job with the round-the-clock role of being a mom. And there were plenty of times when, after a long day at work, when the fridge was empty and everyone was hungry, I just ordered that pizza, because it was easier. Or we went to the drive-through for burgers, because it was quick and cheap.

“And I wasn't always aware of how all the calories and fat in some of the processed foods I was buying were adding up. It got to the point where our paediatrician kind of tapped me on the shoulder and said, 'You know, you might want to consider making some changes.'"

It is this kind of ‘anti-obesity champion’ that the Guardian’s health correspondent, Denis Campbell, believes the UK lacks. He also goes on to say that current policies and projects are falling short of what they should be achieving.

“While all these [plans] are welcome, they do not together constitute a credible response that will actually turn the tide”, he writes.

Campbell then outlines exactly how he would go about fighting the obesity battle.

“Instead of relying on improved food labelling, ministers should be considering how, not if, they will force food producers to remove the excess fat, salt and sugar that are so injurious to health.”

He also believes there should be an hour of exercise a day for school pupils (and 30 minutes for employees), changes to transport and buildings to rid the over-reliance on vehicles, and an increase in health visitors in schools.

In October 2007, the then health secretary, Alan Johnson, described obesity as "a potential crisis on the scale of climate change", and since then it has been revealed that should NHS limitations be removed over one million people would qualify to have a gastric band fitted.