Junk food ads could be banned before the 9pm watershed, and unhealthy foods could also be set to be banned from online advertising, the Financial Times reported.
The chairman of the National Obesity Forum Tam Fry said he believes that Boris Johnson’s time in hospital with coronavirus, may have turned his attention to the public’s health.
Speaking to the BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Fry said, “I think his experience in St Thomas’ Hospital was a real game changer, and I believe that this was the reason why he has suddenly become so involved in curing obesity.
“Because he knows full well that his weight was a great problem when they were coming to treat him.”
The chairman from the obesity forum, said of the proposed measures, “As far as I am concerned it’s not going to be enough, but it’s very welcome so far.”
A government minister said, an announcement on junk food adverts will be coming “imminently” and that “obesity is one of the greatest if not the greatest health challenge we face as a country.”
Minister for care Helen Whately told BBC Breakfast: “Half of adults are overweight, one in five children leaving primary school are obese and obesity brings with it a whole host of health challenges.
“Very particularly with Covid you’re at greater risk of getting Covid, greater risk of complications, greater risk – very sadly – of dying from Covid, if you are overweight.”
Whately added, “As it is such an important health challenge we have to take it on and the Prime Minister is committed to making sure we tackle obesity.”
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