No excuses for obesity, say Tories
Updated on 27 August 2008
Overweight people need to face up to reality to conquer obesity and live healthily, the Tories have said.
Shadow health secretary Andrew Lansley said it was time to "take away the excuses" so that overweight people started exercising and eating more fruit and vegetables.
Launching plans for a 'Responsibility Deal' on public health between business and Government, the Tories said it was important to be positive about the "fun and benefits" to be had through healthy living.
In a speech entitled 'No nannying, no excuses', Mr Lansley will say: "Tell people that biology and the environment causes obesity and they are offered the one thing we have to avoid - an excuse.
"As it is, people who see more fat people around them may themselves be more likely to gain weight. Young people who think many of their friends binge-drink are likely to do so themselves.
"Girls who think their peers engage in early sex are more likely to do so themselves. Peer pressure and social norms are powerful influences on behaviour and they are classic excuses.
"Our need, and not just in relation to public health issues, is to act on the environment, while fostering positive peer pressure and social norms. We have to take away the excuses."
The speech at think-tank Reform will mark the launch of a new working group - headed by Unilever chairman Dave Lewis - to consider various public health proposals.
The working group will consider supporting EU-wide plans for the compulsory labelling of Guideline Daily Amounts (GDAs) of calories, fat, salt and sugar on the front of food packs.
The Tories said they would focus on delivering an improved diet rather than a "narrow focus based on a fear of junk foods". The promotion of "traffic light" labelling would stop under a Conservative government.
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