----------------- ----------------- |  | Last Updated: Thursday, 27 May, 2004, 00:32 GMT 01:32 UK  |
At a glance: Obesity report
|  The report looks at ways of tackling obesity | A scathing report by a committee of MPs says too little has been done to tackle the growing obesity epidemic. The Health Select Committee estimates the costs of obesity is �3.7bn per year - a 42% increase on previous estimates. BBC News Online looks at the report's key recommendations: What the government should do: - Adopt a health education campaign spelling out the health risks of being obese and overweight
- Carry out a national food survey to see what people really eat plus research into the link between alcohol and obesity
- Department for Culture, Media and Sport to review how foods are marketed - including celebrity endorsements - to see how healthy eating messages could be included
- Legislate for the introduction of a "traffic light" system in supermarkets to label food as high, medium or low energy
- Reassess VAT rules to eliminate anomalies in the current system
- The Department of Transport to introduce a national walking strategy
- Aim to meet the target of trebling the number who cycle by 2010
What the food industry should do: - Introduce a voluntary ban on TV junk food ads aimed at children,
- Agree clear public health targets
- Supermarkets should reduce the cost of healthy foods compared to unhealthy ones
- Remove confectionary from check-outs
- Fast-food outlets to offer more fruit and salad
What schools should do: - Introduce a "food curriculum" where all children receive cookery lessons and learn about nutrition and food labelling
- Government should issue guidance telling schools not to accept sponsorship from junk food firms or install snack vending machines
- Three hours of PE for children each week
- Measure children's BMI annually
What the NHS should do: - Take action at all levels, including setting up a specialist obesity clinic in each primary care trust, and expanded hospital services
- Ensure treatments - drugs and surgery - are available where patients live
- Ensure obese children have access to specialist care
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