Rising obesity levels increase focus on 'unhealthy' food
Pubs can expect more calls for tighter controls on 'unhealthy' food and drink after new government figures revealed that obesity levels continue to rise.
More than 12m adults and one million children will be obese by 2010 if current trends continue, according to a report by the Department of Health.
The Health Survey for England predicts that 22 per cent of boys and 19 per cent of girls aged two to 15 will be obese, figures which mean the government would fail to meet its target to halt rising childhood obesity.
The figures will increase calls for more information on fat and salt content in dishes on pub menus, as well as tighter controls on advertising to children. Broadcast watchdog Ofcom is due to rule in the next few weeks on proposals to block TV advertising of products such as crisps, chocolate and high sugar soft drinks before the 9pm watershed.
Hopes that the industry might present a united front were dashed almost as soon as the report was published. Julian Hunt, communications director of the Food & Drink Federation, appeared to deflect blame away from so-called 'junk food' onto the drinks industry, telling the BBC "we need to drink less alcohol".
Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt said: "The government's got a responsibility to make it easier for people to make healthy choices for themselves.
"But at the end of the day, it's up to each of us to decide what we eat, what we drink, how much exercise we take and how we bring our children up."
In Scotland, the Scottish Executive is already consulting on proposals that could see pubs required to post cigarette-style health warnings about food on sale.
