In the United Kingdom they have become serious with the issue of childhood obesity and it is not for less: one in three children is already overweight or obese by the end of primary school and, at this rate, three quarters of men and one third of women will be overweight by 2030.
Among the proposed measures is to eliminate those walls of sweets and snacks that the supermarkets place next to the box and make it almost impossible mission for children to leave without a bauble in hand. No more fighting in the super box.
All against obesity
The new measures respond to a collective approach to obesity. So serious is the problem that we talk about the "new smoking" because of the serious consequences of bad eating habits for the health of the population. And it is everyone's business to put an end to it: authorities, schools, families and also the industry.
It is a recognition of the difficulties that parents have when it comes to instilling healthy habits in children when everything is against you: supermarkets full of strategically placed unhealthy products, advertising of junk food at all times, obesogenic environment that makes your Son be the odd one if you eat well, high price of healthy food
What are you going to do?
The measures that will be implemented after a period of consultation by parents and organizations involved are:
- Supermarkets: It is forbidden to display unhealthy foods in the boxes, at the ends of the aisles and at the entrance of the stores. There can be no 2x1 promotions for products high in fat, sugar and salt.
- Advertising: New restrictions on the advertising of unhealthy foods for children on television and the Internet, which could include a ban on broadcasting them before 9 pm.
- Restaurants and prepared food: They will have to specify the calories and composition of the food they offer so that families know exactly what they are eating.
- Energy drinks: Prohibition of the sale of these drinks high in sugar and caffeine for those under 18.
- Run in school: Teachers will encourage elementary school children to run one mile a day (1.6 kilometers), on the recommendation to do one hour of exercise a day.
"It is almost impossible to protect children from exposure to unhealthy foods. Parents are asking for help and it is our job to empower them to make healthier decisions and make their lives easier by doing so," said the British health minister, Jeremy Hunt
The problem, in figures
This tightening of the measures contained in the Children's Plan against Obesity that was launched two years ago is determined by the constant increase in the numbers of overweight and obesity and the lack of industry support for government measures.
The United Kingdom occupies the Europe's third worst position in childhood obesity: 22% of children are overweight when they start school with four or five years and, by the time they finish primary school, the figure rises to 34%. In addition, one in 25 children aged 10 or 11 has severe obesity.
In economic terms, childhood obesity has a cost of 30,000 million euros, which are going to treat obesity-related diseases such as type 2 diabetes and some types of cancer.
The price of food
And speaking of money, numerous family organizations have already raised their voices to denounce how expensive it is to eat healthy in the United Kingdom: "How could a giant package of Mars chocolate bars come out cheaper than a handful of strawberries or of grapes? ", denounces the activist against child poverty Jack Monroe on her website.
This may be kinda radical but why 🤷♀️ don't 🤷♀️ they 🤷♀️ just 🤷♀️ make 🤷♀️ healthy 🤷♀️ food 🤷♀️ cheaper 🤷♀️? 🤷♀️ // t.co / qV5PDFuEl3
- Dr Jack Monroe (@BootstrapCook) June 24, 2018
In Spain we are not to relax with this issue either. In fact, the latest data (2015-17) of the Childhood Obesity Monitoring initiative of the World Health Organization (WHO) puts us, together with Italy, Cyprus, Spain, Greece, Malta and San Marino on the cusp of the countries with more childhood obesity (between 18% and 21% of children).
Measures such as those of prohibit placing candy at the exit of supermarkets they make it a little easier for families to fight this problem that requires a global approach.
Via BBC
In Babies and more The OCU requires a specific regulation of children's food advertising as a measure to fight obesity. Most American children under two years of age consume too many added sugars, and how are we doing at home?
