To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what research he has (a) commissioned and (b) assisted into links between children's educational performance and their diet.

To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what research he has (a) commissioned and (b) assisted into links between children's educational performance and their diet.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his policy is on the applicability to food supplements of nutrient profiles set under the provision of the Nutrition and Health Claims Regulation; and what steps he is taking to advance that policy in discussions on these matters at the Council...

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his policy is on the applicability to food supplements of nutrient profiles set under the provision of the Nutrition and Health Claims Regulation; and what steps he is taking to advance that policy in discussions on these matters at the Council...

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent discussions he has had on the European Food Safety Authority's procedures to distinguish between the processes and criteria adopted in relation to claims submitted under (a) Article 14 and 13.5 and (b) Article 13.1 of the Nutrition and Health Claims...

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent discussions he has had on the European Food Safety Authority's procedures to distinguish between the processes and criteria adopted in relation to claims submitted under (a) Article 14 and 13.5 and (b) Article 13.1 of the Nutrition and Health Claims...

Topical debate on combating obesity.

Topical debate on combating obesity.

I listened carefully to the Minister of State, and I suppose that there was very little that I, or indeed anyone in the House, could disagree with. However, I am disappointed by the degree of seriousness that the Government attach to the subject. Those of us who become Members of...

I listened carefully to the Minister of State, and I suppose that there was very little that I, or indeed anyone in the House, could disagree with. However, I am disappointed by the degree of seriousness that the Government attach to the subject. Those of us who become Members of...

This is an interesting debate that contrasts several modern dilemmas. First, we must recognise that we in this country have the luxury of debating obesity. Most of us have the opportunity to travel around the world, and we go to many places where obesity is not an issue at all,...

This is an interesting debate that contrasts several modern dilemmas. First, we must recognise that we in this country have the luxury of debating obesity. Most of us have the opportunity to travel around the world, and we go to many places where obesity is not an issue at all,...

I am grateful for my hon. Friend’s instruction, and I shall come on to give an example of the way in which the Government’s leadership role, by providing the framework for action and creating the opportunities and infrastructures for healthy living in our communities, can address those problems. When I...

I am grateful for my hon. Friend’s instruction, and I shall come on to give an example of the way in which the Government’s leadership role, by providing the framework for action and creating the opportunities and infrastructures for healthy living in our communities, can address those problems. When I...

That is a fair point. Looking at the commercial practices of companies can lead to difficult issues. On the one hand, they sell goods that people like and enjoy and, in small measure, are good for us—““A little of what you fancy does you good,”” ““Moderation in all things,”” and...

That is a fair point. Looking at the commercial practices of companies can lead to difficult issues. On the one hand, they sell goods that people like and enjoy and, in small measure, are good for us—““A little of what you fancy does you good,”” ““Moderation in all things,”” and...

Not only the scale of the problem—the hon. Member for North-East Bedfordshire (Alistair Burt) set out the statistics well—but the speed and trajectory at which it is becoming a major disaster for Britain and the wider world are shocking. My friend Dr. David Haslam of the National Obesity Forum spoke...

Not only the scale of the problem—the hon. Member for North-East Bedfordshire (Alistair Burt) set out the statistics well—but the speed and trajectory at which it is becoming a major disaster for Britain and the wider world are shocking. My friend Dr. David Haslam of the National Obesity Forum spoke...

The hon. Gentleman is right to say that we must examine calories and exercise, but we must also consider salt and fat, which do not necessarily fall into calorie content, but are just as dangerous and cause obesity.

The hon. Gentleman is right to say that we must examine calories and exercise, but we must also consider salt and fat, which do not necessarily fall into calorie content, but are just as dangerous and cause obesity.

It is important to give every opportunity to people to take responsibility for their own health, but we must also be cognisant of the important issue of stigma. It is very much the Government’s approach to ensure that no stigma is applied to the obese in initiatives to combat obesity....

It is important to give every opportunity to people to take responsibility for their own health, but we must also be cognisant of the important issue of stigma. It is very much the Government’s approach to ensure that no stigma is applied to the obese in initiatives to combat obesity....

The hon. Gentleman is right about fat. Salt in itself does not cause obesity—it can cause other problems, such as high blood pressure, and it has a significantly damaging effect on health. Fat is the main problem because it is the most calorie-dense food. It has approximately nine calories per...

The hon. Gentleman is right about fat. Salt in itself does not cause obesity—it can cause other problems, such as high blood pressure, and it has a significantly damaging effect on health. Fat is the main problem because it is the most calorie-dense food. It has approximately nine calories per...

When I was a lad, school dinners were not under-caloried, if I may put it like that. There were no tuck shops in those days, but children ate an awful lot of sweets, and did not seem to get obese, which inclines me to the view that lack of activity...

When I was a lad, school dinners were not under-caloried, if I may put it like that. There were no tuck shops in those days, but children ate an awful lot of sweets, and did not seem to get obese, which inclines me to the view that lack of activity...

I totally accept the hon. Gentleman’s point about individual responsibility, but commercial responsibility is also involved. Many of the food companies that are keen on labelling have retail outlets in which the only things people wanting a bag of crisps or bar of chocolate can buy are a grab bag...

I totally accept the hon. Gentleman’s point about individual responsibility, but commercial responsibility is also involved. Many of the food companies that are keen on labelling have retail outlets in which the only things people wanting a bag of crisps or bar of chocolate can buy are a grab bag...

I take the Minister’s point, but India is a developing society and it counts itself as one. If we went to parts of Africa, we would not find that the issue was handled in the same way. I take the Minister’s point that obesity affects all nations that have reached...

I take the Minister’s point, but India is a developing society and it counts itself as one. If we went to parts of Africa, we would not find that the issue was handled in the same way. I take the Minister’s point that obesity affects all nations that have reached...

I thank my right hon. Friend for her generosity in giving way. She will be aware of initiatives in Bristol such as the ““Thank you for not driving”” campaign, which aims to tackle the school run, and the healthy schools initiative. The other day, I presented an award to St...

I thank my right hon. Friend for her generosity in giving way. She will be aware of initiatives in Bristol such as the ““Thank you for not driving”” campaign, which aims to tackle the school run, and the healthy schools initiative. The other day, I presented an award to St...

I certainly agree with my hon. Friend. As a constituency neighbour of hers, I know that Bristol is a cycling city: it is undertaking the ““active Bristol”” programme and considering how it can improve its parks, provide family-centred facilities and safe corridors for family activities, so that children can undertake...

I certainly agree with my hon. Friend. As a constituency neighbour of hers, I know that Bristol is a cycling city: it is undertaking the ““active Bristol”” programme and considering how it can improve its parks, provide family-centred facilities and safe corridors for family activities, so that children can undertake...

I am heartened by the Minister’s speech and her conclusions, not least because they were similar to those I arrived at, possibly with more detail attached to them. The problem is known—we have increased levels of obesity; more overweight children; higher risks of cancer, heart disease, diabetes, infertility and early...

I am heartened by the Minister’s speech and her conclusions, not least because they were similar to those I arrived at, possibly with more detail attached to them. The problem is known—we have increased levels of obesity; more overweight children; higher risks of cancer, heart disease, diabetes, infertility and early...

My apologies, Mr. Deputy Speaker; I was not sure whether we changed the Standing Order yesterday. I was not sure whether it had come into operation. May I just conclude by—

My apologies, Mr. Deputy Speaker; I was not sure whether we changed the Standing Order yesterday. I was not sure whether it had come into operation. May I just conclude by—

The hon. Gentleman is looking at the whole question of obesity, but by way of information, India, for instance, has the two extremes in one nation: obesity and those who do not have enough. Regrettably, obesity is not just a European or north American challenge.

The hon. Gentleman is looking at the whole question of obesity, but by way of information, India, for instance, has the two extremes in one nation: obesity and those who do not have enough. Regrettably, obesity is not just a European or north American challenge.