Source · Select Committees · Women and Equalities Committee
Recommendation 5
5
Accepted in Part
Paragraph: 48
The current Obesity Strategy is at best ineffective and at worst perpetuating unhealthy behaviours.
Recommendation
The current Obesity Strategy is at best ineffective and at worst perpetuating unhealthy behaviours. It is likely to be dangerous for those with negative body image, including those at risk of developing eating disorders. In the short term, we have specific concerns that calorie labelling will contribute to growth in eating disorders and disordered eating. The Government should immediately scrap its plans to for calorie labels on food in restaurants, cafes, and takeaways.
Government response summary AI-generated
The government acknowledges concerns about calorie labelling and eating disorders, but will not scrap the policy. Instead, they have exempted schools and will allow businesses to provide calorie-free menus upon customer request, committing to a review within 5 years.
Summary of the government's response below — read the verbatim text to verify.
Paragraph Reference:
48
Government Response
Accepted in Part
HM Government · verbatim extract
Accepted in Part
37. Obesity is a complex problem caused by many different factors to which there is no single solution. It is a leading cause of serious diseases such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, some cancers7 and is associated with poorer mental health.8 It also increases the risk of serious illness and death from Covid-19.9 This represents a huge cost to the health and wellbeing of the individual, the NHS and the wider economy.
Read the full response on Parliament ↗