Written question asked by Jim Cunningham (Labour) on Tuesday, 31 January 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 7 February 2006. It was answered by Caroline Flint (Labour) on Tuesday, 14 March 2006 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Obesity

Question: (2) how much has been spent by her Department on campaigns to raise awareness of the health effects of lack of exercise in the last three years.

Answer: [holding answer 7 February 2006]: As committed in Choosing Health””, a project team is currently working with stakeholders to develop an obesity social marketing programme for launch in early 2007. The objective will be to prevent unhealthy weight gain in children aged two to 10, by influencing their parents and carers to make healthier choices on food and physical activity.More broadly, the 5 A DAY programme, the Food Standards Agency's salt campaign, and Sport England's Everyday Sport programme have helped to raise awareness of healthy nutrition and physical activity. £2 million was spent on the 5 A day programme by the Department in 2005–06.

Secondary information