Government Attacked Over Deals With Fast-Food Industry: ‘Pure Illusion’ To Think This Approach Can Cut Obesity

Scathing World Health Organisation report warns UK cannot tackle epidemic unless Government changes policy

The Government’s plan to fight obesity through voluntary deals with fast-food chains is founded on “pure illusion” and will lead to ever-worsening ill health in Britain, a leading expert claims today.

In a wide-ranging report for the World Health Organisation, Professor Roberto de Vogli of the University of California and other leading academics said all the evidence pointed to government regulation of the fast-food industry as the only way to slow down or reverse the world’s escalating obesity epidemic.

The Government has consistently held back from passing legislation to limit the marketing activity of the  fast-food industry and improve the nutritional value of  their products.

Speaking to The Independent, Professor de Vogli highlighted this flawed approach, which he said was typical of countries with the worst rates of obesity.