Pandemic Motivates British Government to Address National Obesity Problem

LONDON, KOMPAS.com – To tackle a national obesity problem, the British government has announced plans to make it mandatory for restaurants to display calories on their menus.

Britain’s obesity problem has been spurred and made urgent by the coronavirus pandemic.

Should the regulation pass, there will be bans on “buy one get one free” deals on unhealthy items.

Television advertisements promoting junk food will be aired before 9pm and a “consultation” on placing calorie labels on alcohol will be required.

These plans are not the first of its kind by the British government as it has long tried to address the country’s obesity problem.

However, this latest attempt has been prompted by the coronavirus pandemic.

Analyses show that nearly eight percent of critically-ill patients in intensive care units with the virus were categorized as morbidly obese, compared with less than three percent of the general population.

Two-thirds of UK adults are above a healthy weight, with 36 percent overweight and 28 percent obese, according to government data.

"Losing weight is hard but with some small changes we can all feel fitter and healthier," Prime Minister Boris Johnson said.

Johnson required intensive care treatment in April after catching the virus.

To accompany the launch of the "Better Health Strategy", Downing Street posted a video of Johnson on Twitter on Monday, walking a dog and talking about his own "struggle" with weight.

The British premier has previously criticized government attempts to spur weight control but said the latest initiative would not be enforced "in an excessively bossy or nannying way".

The move to include calories on menus would be placed on restaurants, cafes and takeaways with more than 250 employees.

Another potential measure announced on Monday was a proposal to ban the placing of sweets and chocolate bars at supermarket checkouts.

A Public Health England study published on Saturday found that obesity increased the risk of death from coronavirus by 40 percent.

Michelle Mitchell, Cancer Research UK's chief executive, said it was "a landmark day for the nation's health".

However, the main opposition Labour party's health spokesman Alex Norris criticized the new initiative, saying the policies amounted to little more than "big promises".

"An effective obesity strategy needs action, not consultation," said Alex Norris. 

(Writer: Agence France-Presse) 

Source: http://u.afp.com/38Ze