Okay, so the health secretary Andrew Lansley announced the government’s big plans to tackle obesity yesterday, and already just about everyone with something to say on the subject has put the boot in. So I’m not going to join them. Oh alright then. I will. (Imagine sound of my boot making contact with members of the Department of Health’s collective posterior).
Well really, can you blame me? I have rarely read a ‘strategy’ that is less strategy-like. The public, apparently, needs to ‘be more honest’ about its eating habits. Oh really? And how, exactly, is that going to solve the obesity crisis? And here’s another thing: does the minister really think that telling people that they eat too much is going to make them change their pot-bellied little ways? Oh please.
Jamie Oliver put it exactly as I would have (if anyone would have asked, that is), describing the so-called obesity strategy as “worthless, regurgitated, patronising rubbish” and “a farce”. Love him or loathe him (and I admit I have a soft spot…), you’ve got to admit he has one hell of a point.
Tell you what: making fruit and veg cheaper than junk food would be a step in the right direction if you really want to encourage people to eat more healthily. But will Mr Lansley take on the food giants in any way, shape or form? Will he heck. Instead, he suggests we stop using public transport and walk to work instead.
Is this the best the government can do? I honestly have no words…