Just one in nine parents of obese or overweight children believe their child has a weight problem, a poll suggests.
11 November 2008
Commenting on the government survey of nearly 1,200 parents, Health Secretary Alan Johnson said it showed many parents were in denial.
The findings were revealed as he unveiled the next steps being taken in the government’s public health drive.
It comes after the government announced the nine areas that are to share a £30m pot to become “healthy towns”.
The measures being announced this week will be introduced in the new year and have been developed following the government’s obesity strategy, which was published in January.
Some of the biggest names in the food industry, including Tesco, have signed up to the Change4Life campaign.
They have been designed to encourage a “lifestyle revolution” by getting people to exercise more, eat better and live more healthily.
Nearly a quarter of adults and a fifth of children are obese, according to latest figures.
But the Department of Health survey of nearly 1,200 parents found only 11.5% recognised weight as an issue when their children were overweight or obese.
Parents were also found to underestimate how much unhealthy food they bought and used snacks as rewards, to appease conflict or relieve boredom.
Health Secretary Alan Johnson said: “The message that we received from parents was clear - we recognise that obesity is a big problem, but it’s not our problem.”
He said the solution was not “finger-wagging or lecturing” but being supportive and helpful and that was why supermarket chains and manufacturers were being brought on board.
Tesco and Asda have signed up to offer promotions on healthy food, which could include cut-price fruit and vegetables.
‘Real change’
And Kellogg’s will be investing £100,000 in breakfast clubs and £240,000 in swimming programmes.
Meanwhile, the Advertising Association is promising that its members will provide £200m of free promotional activity over the next four years.
This will be kick-started by an advertising campaign featured on ITV early next year encouraging people to adopt healthy lifestyles.
Advertising Association chief executive Baroness Peta Buscombe said: “Businesses must be part of the solution to tackling obesity in the UK.
“By harnessing the immense talents in this country in advertising, marketing and media, we believe we can make a real difference and bring about real change.”
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Many parents ‘in obesity denial’
Just one in nine parents of obese or overweight children believe their child has a weight problem, a poll suggests.
11 November 2008
Commenting on the government survey of nearly 1,200 parents, Health Secretary Alan Johnson said it showed many parents were in denial.
The findings were revealed as he unveiled the next steps being taken in the government’s public health drive.
It comes after the government announced the nine areas that are to share a £30m pot to become “healthy towns”.
The measures being announced this week will be introduced in the new year and have been developed following the government’s obesity strategy, which was published in January.
Some of the biggest names in the food industry, including Tesco, have signed up to the Change4Life campaign.
They have been designed to encourage a “lifestyle revolution” by getting people to exercise more, eat better and live more healthily.
Nearly a quarter of adults and a fifth of children are obese, according to latest figures.
But the Department of Health survey of nearly 1,200 parents found only 11.5% recognised weight as an issue when their children were overweight or obese.
Parents were also found to underestimate how much unhealthy food they bought and used snacks as rewards, to appease conflict or relieve boredom.
Health Secretary Alan Johnson said: “The message that we received from parents was clear - we recognise that obesity is a big problem, but it’s not our problem.”
He said the solution was not “finger-wagging or lecturing” but being supportive and helpful and that was why supermarket chains and manufacturers were being brought on board.
Tesco and Asda have signed up to offer promotions on healthy food, which could include cut-price fruit and vegetables.
‘Real change’
And Kellogg’s will be investing £100,000 in breakfast clubs and £240,000 in swimming programmes.
Meanwhile, the Advertising Association is promising that its members will provide £200m of free promotional activity over the next four years.
This will be kick-started by an advertising campaign featured on ITV early next year encouraging people to adopt healthy lifestyles.
Advertising Association chief executive Baroness Peta Buscombe said: “Businesses must be part of the solution to tackling obesity in the UK.
“By harnessing the immense talents in this country in advertising, marketing and media, we believe we can make a real difference and bring about real change.”
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