Issue 182 Item 14 Obesity & Diabetes in Britain May Soar to 40% in Generation

Health experts warned that, obesity affects three times more people in Britain now than it did 20 years ago and levels could soar to 40% of the population within a single generation.

Nearly 16% of children between the ages of 6 and 16 are obese and the numbers will increase unless strategies are developed to combat the epidemic.

"The rise [in obesity] in Britain is as fast or faster than anywhere else in the world," Professor Philip James, the chairman of the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF), told a meeting of non-governmental organizations (NGOs). "We are heading for disaster."

James said the figures are conservative estimates and the numbers could increase at a much faster rate because of unhealthy eating habits, a couch potato lifestyle and the oversupply and intensive marketing of foods high in fat, sugar or salt.

Children are particularly vulnerable and are being targeted by food and beverage companies that use pop stars, celebrities, athletes and cartoon characters to sell products that pile on the pounds. Pre-school children can identify brands before they can read or write. "The commercialization of childhood is overwhelming," he said.

Childhood obesity, which has risen dramatically in most countries in Europe and has reached 16% in 6 to 16-year-olds in Britain, increases the risk of youngsters developing type 2 diabetes and heart disease, stroke and certain types of cancer later in life.

Sir John Krebs, the chairman of Britain’s Food Standards Agency (FSA), has described the obesity epidemic as a public health time bomb and warned that if nothing is done to curb the obesity epidemic life expectancy could go down for the first time in 100 years.

The FSA has suggested a range of measures including a ban on food advertisement aimed at pre-school children.

James and other health experts agree that strong measures are needed. "Politicians need to understand that regulation is required and that it is a popular move. It is what the majority of parents in every country we work with places as one of their top priorities," he said.

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