THE Government will today unveil how PM Boris Johnson plans to get Brits to lose weight.
A new “Better Health” campaign, run by Public Health England, will call on everyone to “embrace a healthier lifestyle”.
It will be supported by the NHS with more referrals to the likes of WeightWatchers.
GPs will prescribe exercise, such as cycling and gym classes, and patients will be given access to weight loss apps.
Staff in doctors’ surgeries will also be trained as “healthy weight coaches” to give people advice on how to stay trim.
Meanwhile, shops will be banned from offering Buy One Get One Free deals on junk food and placing treats near store entrances and tills.
Large restaurants, cafes and takeaways must put calorie labels on menus, so customers can make informed choices.
And adverts for food high in fat, sugar or salt will be axed from TV and websites before the 9pm watershed.
Ministers will consult on expanding this to cover all times of day and night.
Other consultations will be for calorie labels on alcohol and compulsory traffic light labelling on food packaging.
The details feature in the Government’s obesity strategy, which has been expanded to target adults as well as kids.
The document, published today, shows adults are eating 200 to 300 more calories a day than they need.
‘WAKE-UP CALL’
Children who are already overweight are eating 500 calories a day too many.
Health charities last night welcomed the “world-leading” plans.
But critics said it will push up food prices and see cash-strapped families losing out on supermarket bargains.
Evidence of a link between obesity and increased risk from Covid was a “wake-up call” to ministers.
Mr Johnson has lost over a stone by exercising and watching his food since his brush with the virus.
