“Each year the childhood obesity statistics tell the same devastating story. Obesity continues to rise and it’s the children from the most deprived backgrounds who have the odds stacked against them. Nearly one in ten children are obese when they first start school and children from the most deprived areas are more than twice as likely to be affected.
“The Government says that tackling obesity is a priority. The soft drinks levy and the sugar reduction programme are both positive steps. But a real commitment to tackling obesity means also getting to grips with the environment in which our children grow up. Adverts for unhealthy foods have a significant impact on consumption habits, and we want to see immediate action to restrict junk food marketing at children – both online and on TV before the 9pm watershed.
Failing to tackle obesity means failing our children, and if today’s figures tell us anything, it’s that there’s a long way to go before the battle is won.”