Failure to tackle childhood obesity

Responding to the announcement by Ofcom, in March, about TV advertising of food and drink to children, Sue Davies, chief policy adviser, Which? commented: 'We are extremely disappointed that Ofcom has wasted this opportunity to really get to grips with the advertising of foods high in fat, sugar and

Ofcom has failed to seize the opportunity to tackle childhood obesity and related health problems. It obviously does not have the ability to deal with this pressing public health issue.'

Which? calls for the government to step in, claiming that Ofcom has merely acted to pacify industry interests in the short term. By failing to tackle irresponsible TV advertising, Ofcom has put all the recent measures to improve children's nutrition under threat: There is little point in highlighting healthy eating messages in schools if kids are bombarded with confusing TV messages when they get home.'

In February, in response to a report on tackling childhood obesity by the Healthcare Commission, the National Audit Office and the Audit Commission, Which? again called for the establishment of a Nutrition Council to focus on making positive changes to tackle the barriers to healthy eating.