Health Foundation responds to Health Select Committee report on childhood obesity

The Health Foundation today (Monday 27 March) responded to the Health Select Committee’s report which looks at the government’s childhood obesity plan, which was published last year.

Jo Bibby, Director of Strategy and Innovation at the Health Foundation, said: ‘As the Committee notes, the government’s strategy on childhood obesity misses important opportunities to tackle root causes of this crisis.

‘Childhood obesity is one of the most urgent public health challenges facing this country, and it requires comprehensive and robust action. The government needs to know if its strategy is working, and needs to act quickly if it is not, but without clear targets and goals this will be impossible.

‘Childhood obesity threatens our economic and social prosperity, and is fuelling inequality, with child obesity more than twice as prevalent in the most deprived areas of the country.

‘Without a more ambitious plan that shows true leadership, the childhood obesity crisis will continue to put at risk the health and happiness of today’s children and future generations.’

Media contact

Jack Cutforth
jack.cutforth@health.org.uk
0207 664 4623