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Dept of Health

Answer

Mr. Waterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action he is proposing to control (a) obesity among and (b) alcohol consumption by children; and if he will make a statement. [200051] Miss Melanie Johnson: The foundation for all future work to tackle childhood obesity will be taken forward through the recently published Government White Paper, "Choosing Health: making healthy choices easier", tackling the risk factors of diet and physical inactivity. The Government will publish a delivery plan for the White Paper next year. As part of this delivery programme, we will also publish national delivery plans focusing on nutrition and activity, including the food and health action plan and the physical activity plan. The Government has also introduced a new public service agreement target, jointly owned by the Department for Health, Department for Education and Skills and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, to halt "the year-on-year rise in obesity among children under 11 by 2010 in the context of a broader strategy to tackle obesity in the population as a whole". Regarding alcohol consumption by children, a social responsibility code is being developed with industry that will provide a code of best practice around manufacturing and sale of alcohol. One of its elements is to stop the sale of alcohol to children. The Department for Education and Skills, in consultation with the Department of Health and the Home Office, will use the findings of the blueprint research programme to ensure that future provision of alcohol education in schools addresses attitudes and behaviour as well as providing information.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

200051; 428 c349W

Session

2004-05

Subjects

Children Alcoholic drinks Consumption Health Misuse Obesity Sales Exercise

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk