New Government Plan to Curb Childhood Obesity Leaves Diabetes UK “Utterly Disappointed”

19 Aug 2016 --- Diabetes UK have announced that the UK government’s childhood obesity plan, which includes voluntary targets to reduce sugar by 20% in food over the next 4 years, is not enough to curb the growing rate of type 2 diabetes.

Chris Askew, Chief Executive at Diabetes UK, said, “We are utterly disappointed that the obesity plan announced by the Government is letting down the next generation by falling short of the comprehensive strategy needed to tackle the obesity crisis and, in turn, halt the alarming rise in Type 2 diabetes and its life-threatening and costly complications.”

The charity state that currently, almost two thirds of adults in the UK and a third of children in the UK in their final year of primary school are overweight or obese, which means that they are at greater risk of developing serious health conditions later in life such as Type 2 diabetes. Unlike Type 1 diabetes, type 2 is largely preventable, and can be avoided by following a healthy and balanced diet. 

“Unlike Type 1 diabetes, the most potent risk factor for Type 2 diabetes is being overweight or obese,” explains Askew, “That’s why it is imperative we tackle childhood obesity and help all of us make healthier choices. The measures we urgently need to see implemented include setting ambitious targets, backed by regulation, for food manufacturers to reduce the saturated fat, salt and added sugar content in their products, and closing loopholes on the marketing of junk food advertising, including a 9pm watershed to reduce exposure to children.”

Diabetes UK added, that as well as being personally devastating for all those involved, the development of type 2 diabetes is extremely costly to the health service, adding that the NHS spends over £8 billion every year managing the condition.

“We welcome the Government’s re-stated commitment to the soft drinks industry levy, and recognize it as a bold step forward in reducing the nation’s sugar consumption,” Continued Askew, “but on its own it’s not enough to solve the obesity crisis nor reduce the growing unsustainable costs to the NHS. We look forward to working with the Government through the consultation to explore ways of introducing the levy so that it is effective, and does not negatively impact on people living with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes and their families who rely on high-sugar products to treat low blood glucose levels.”