New obesity strategy is a ‘landmark day for the nation’s health’ and our ambition to beat cancer

I would like to take an active part in reducing obesity in children . How can I do that ?

One area which could achieve quick results would be a specific focus on consistency in contents marking i.e. mandatory use of the ‘traffic lights’ system( still avoided by some supermarkets), print in legible type size and consistency in referral to actual product content rather than misleading reference to RDA.

I agree more with educating people about the correct foods to eat rather than instructing shop keepers where to place their goods. For example if sweets don’t sell near the checkout they will be replaced.

I really do not understand the need to include large corporation fast food chains in the eat out to help out scheme. Does McDonald’s really need help from the government and the tax payer? Their drive throughs have been grid locked since they re-opened, if anything their sales are probably up! It’s sending out the wrong message, on one hand they are saying loose weight to help fight COVID and prevent cancer and then dishing out half price junk food which is already cheap at full price at the cost of the tax payer. This scheme should be reserved for independents and restaurants that serve real food

Great articles,thank you for all you do,as some one who has had breast Cancer and had such wonderful care and treatment and still is,I am so grateful,that’s why I sign and do anything I can for the progress of research and care for those going through Cancer now.

I so agree with Louise. We really need to lower the cost of healthier option food items and ramp up the prices of the fast quick to prepare effortless easy cop out options that some families choose to adopt. Stop the tv dinner microwave mentality too as I find it quite astounding how many people find this quite a normal activity just waiting for the “ping” of the microwave to signify lunch/dinner is ‘ready’ You’ve only got to read the labels to realise this is NOT a healthy option. I also get annoyed that sweets are strategically placed at the check out in supermarkets to tempt and encourage that last little treat or TWO into the trolley!! Get this….YOU DONT NEED THEM

At long last a step in the right direction I am horrified when shopping to see the amount of junk food parents buy for their children. Good healthy fruit salads and lean protein taste even better

You are still not listening!!
Why do you insist on price increase on high sugar/fat foods??
The way forward would be to massively reduce the price on healthy foods!!!!
Many healthy foods like fresh vegetables, fruit and salads have a short life span..
Make these cheaper..
By all means watershed the advertising as I totally agree children are so influenced..but for goodness sake STOP increasing prices..
We are inthe middle of a financial crisis..people are using food banks..
Stop lining the pockets of Starbucks and macdonalds ect by increasing the fat tax!!
Think logical!!!
REDUCE THE COST OF HEALTHY FOOD!!!

Stop agreeing for fast food shops to open ie burgers/kebab shops in small dwellings when they empty

Really impressed with what you are saying but obesity and health problems are more prevalent in poorer sections of the community and we need to find out what problems they have eg getting to the shops etc.

I’m pro choice and buy one get one free is usually a way of saving money and getting more..not necessarily eating more! I’m a healthy eater and although I agree some choices arent correct and can be influenced by advertising..maybe then there should be exercising and healthier influences entwined with those deemed unhealthy to counteract and balance? Been cycling to work instead of the bus since covid and eating less. Am a vegetarian but probably the most obese veggie in my town due to medication I am on which makes me hold onto weight. So it’s not just food and should be helping make healthy choices instead of enforcing taxes or price hikes please. Sometimes we need some pleasures even if it’s a small amount.

I find the argument to lower sugar in drinks ridiculous – Just drink water! I never gave my five daughters fizzy drinks growing up. I made them a home cooked meal every evening which we ate together as a family. It is possible to cook from scratch cheaply and healthily – and freeze any leftovers for good food later. People need to be taught these basic skills at school and at home. It takes time and effort (I am a very busy full time GP and had four under fives and then another 6 years younger, so I do understand some of the obstacles) Good luck – you will feel better for even small changes.

Cut out one snack a day and help yourself to prevent cancer, diabetes and all sorts of health problems

Why not adverts and buy one get one free on healthy foods. These should be lowered in price. Alot comes down to money.

Would be wonderful but I’m on benefit cheap unhealthy food is about all I can afford. When its cheaper to buy 4 bars of chocolate than 2 apples there is something wrong! Salad etc is so expensive and unless I’m actually a rabbit living on my own it goes off before I can use it all!!

Interesting but not much cop when no-one is willing to actually offer help with weight problems. Classed as obese, my GP won’t help, as also have hereditary Lymphoedema, so my weight can fluctuate by over a stone some days, having weighed myself in morning, then again that evening. I really need to lost about 2st

I work as a personal shopper and it surprises me how much prossed food people buy, I know it’s hard cooking from scratch, I do it every day (after work) and often have to make two different meals because my family don’t eat the same things but its important to me to know what we are eating, none of us have weight or health issues!

I wish someone did this years ago. I became fat due to my ex and stress
I lost weight but not from dieting or exercise, I have Neuroendocrine cancer in my pancreas which can not be cured
Please carry on sending information out on this subject

I think it is a great idea to take away sweets from the shop tills to stop children from eating too much high carb and good to stop adverts before 9pm

I have melanoma stage 4 cancer I have 9 tumours in my body getting treatment hsve been a year next month but now one has started growing just a little bird scan next month to

Well Cancer runs in my family and some have survived and the other died it’s cruel I know but when you know about Cancer weather you have in or someone close to you has it you have to put on a brave face together we will beat Cancer xxx

I was due to have Bariatric Surgery in July but this was cancelled due to COVID. I have had cancer twice I am extremely over weight and am suffering with server back and knee pains. I have no idea if or when this operation will happen now. My GP said she has no idea. I’m extremely disappointed, frustrated and depressed about this. So who can help me now?

Excellent long overdue health strategy

I am a amputee and considering purchasing a tri cycle to keep fit and lose weight. They are expensive. Can i get financial assistance?

I’m 65 and had cancer 8 years ago and beaten it I want to buy a bike to get more healthy but my kids are against it as I have a habit of falling and hurting myself but the good new is that 2 years ago I started going to a gym class but since the virus I’m not as fit have started going for walks to help im so grateful for all the help and treatment that I received THANK YOU

How much research do you have on the fat debate? Shouldn’t we be promoting / encouraging healthy fats in our diet and be a bit less worried about them. Much of the problem arises from over consumption of carbohydrates, stored as fat and then eating more fats, but if carb excess is removed don’t we need some healthy fats. The nation will need to understand this to tackle obesity in the right way. If you eat low carb and low fat, you’ll just be very hungry and more likely to break a diet?