Latest news with #obesitycrisis
Yahoo
01-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
6 ways your supermarket shop might change to help people lose weight
It's a topic that has been debated in Parliament for many years: how do we deal with the so-called 'obesity crisis'? Figures show that obesity in the UK is rising faster than in any other developed nation and is linked to a host of rising health issues, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke and certain cancers. A forthcoming report by the Chief Medical Officer is also expected to reveal that more than one in five children are living with obesity by the time they leave primary school, and in areas with higher levels of poverty and deprivation, that figure rises to almost one in three. In response to these alarming statistics, the government has unveiled a 'world-first' strategy that will challenge food retailers and manufacturers to meet a new standard. Over the next 10 years, the government will introduce guidelines designed to cut up to 100 calories from the average shopping basket. The Department of Health and Social Care says businesses will be given the freedom to achieve these standards however they see fit, whether that's by reformulating products, tweaking recipes, redesigning store layouts, offering discounts on healthy foods or adapting loyalty schemes to promote more nutritious choices. So what might this mean for your next big shop? While the full policy details are yet to be revealed, we asked a handful of leading nutrition experts to share what they think supermarkets could, and should, do to help people shop smarter. With ultra-processed foods (UPFs) making up more than half of the UK diet, many of us are actively taking steps to reduce our intake. But identifying UPFs isn't always straightforward, especially when food packaging so often contains marketing spin. Nutritionist Gabriella Peacock believes that supermarkets could benefit from introducing a front-of-pack 'processing score' to make things clearer for shoppers – a simple, visual system to help people understand exactly what they're buying. "These labels would show if food is minimally processed (green), moderately processed (amber), or ultra-processed (red), in an effort to help consumers quickly understand their food quality." She adds: "As a busy parent myself, I know how hard it can be to make healthy choices for children. This labelling could be especially helpful when it comes to differentiating between healthy and unhealthy lunchbox foods that are marketed towards kids." Supermarkets have already seen success with gluten-free aisles, so why not carve out a clearly signposted area for foods that consumers can trust are both healthy and minimally processed? "Whether it's fresh produce, simple wholegrains, gut-friendly yoghurts or protein-rich snacks, bundling these foods together means you don't have to trawl around the supermarket to do a healthy food shop," says Peacock. "Placed at the start of the supermarket, by the tills or in a visible and accessible place within the store, this style of 'grab-and-go' counter can help people to avoid reaching for tempting convenience foods." Remember in the 90s when mini taste testers were all the rage in supermarkets? Peacock reckons it's time for them to enjoy a resurgence. "A lot of the time, people don't buy healthier options simply because they don't know how they taste, or they feel too expensive to risk trying,' she believes. "A great way around this is to offer monthly deals on healthy foods and create smaller, taster-size snack packs at a lower price point. "Think roasted chickpeas, air-popped lentil crisps, gut-friendly yoghurts, or fruit and nut bites – all in easy, affordable packages that let people try without the commitment." Flip over the average food item in the supermarket and you're often met with a confusing list of numbers and measurements that don't exactly scream readable. "A big change that needs to happen is clearer labelling in general," believes dietician Clementine Vaughan. "Currently, labels are required to show calories, salt and fat per 100g portion, but that might not mean much to some people. "What is 100g of pizza, for example? Or 100g of pasta? More importantly, what is a standard portion size?" While some food items add nutritional information per portion, Vaughan says this can often be strategically confusing for shoppers. "For example, if you look at the nutritional information for an oven pizza, you might think it's not too unhealthy or even accept it as part of an overall balanced diet approach," she explains. "But if you look slightly closer, the nutritional information is actually based on just half of a pizza, and the fat and salt content is double what you initially think.' Some supermarkets offer meal inspiration areas or places to pick up a recipe card, but they're often still reliant on ultra-processed shortcuts like jars of pre-made sauce and sides. "I'd love to see a front-of-store 'quick real food' area that makes assembling a healthy dinner as easy as grabbing a meal deal," says nutritionist Rob Hobson. "So, fresh vegetables, tinned pulses, grains, and lean protein all bundled into simple, affordable meal ideas that you can buy and cook in bulk." He adds: "This would really help to normalise cooking from scratch again, without expecting people to spend loads of time in the kitchen." UPFs can often be dressed up as healthy options and marketed with claims like 'high in fibre' or 'source of vitamins.' "These labels create a health halo that can be really misleading, especially when the products are still packed with sweeteners, emulsifiers and other ultra-processed ingredients," warns Hobson. "I'd love to see UK supermarkets dial down this kind of front-of-pack marketing and provide clearer back-of-pack context. "Even better," he adds, "shift the shelf space and promotions toward genuinely nutrient-rich basics like tinned fish, frozen veg and whole grains – foods that actually support long-term health without pushing up the weekly shopping bill." Read more about food shopping: 12 ways to eat more cheaply and healthily as food prices rise (Yahoo Life UK, 5-min read) Five supermarket tips to save money as inflation jumps to 10-month high (Yahoo Life UK, 6-min read) I spend just £22 on my weekly food shop and make 12 healthy meals (Yahoo Life UK, 5-min read)
Yahoo
23-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Majority of UK children will be overweight or obese in nine areas by 2035
Experts have warned childhood obesity is 'heading in the wrong direction' with the majority of children expected to be overweight or obese in nine UK council areas in the next decade. The Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH) has estimated 41 per cent of year six students will be overweight or obese by 2035, with 90 per cent of the country set to see rates worsen. Analysis seen by The Guardian also shows that, for the first time since records began, more than 50 per cent of children in nine regions will be overweight or obese. 'As a nation we're failing the test on childhood obesity,' William Roberts, Chief Executive of RSPH said. 'Our projections show that we are heading in the wrong direction on obesity, with children in some of the most deprived areas set to be worst affected.' The RSPH's new report is based off modelling of data from the government's national child measurement programme which covers mainstream state-maintained schools. Data shows child obesity in primary school leavers was 36 per cent in 2023-2024. But the RSPH has warned this could rise sharply to 41 per cent in the coming years after analysing data from the programme from 2009 onwards. The report has also found that rates of overweight children are expected to rise in 136 of 151 local authority areas in the next ten years. The nine worst affected areas are predicted to see rates rise above 50 per cent by 2035, meaning the majority of children aged 10 to 11 in these areas will be overweight of obese. According to The Guardian, the highest rate could be seen in Blackpool, where 54 per cent of children are predicted to be overweight or obese in ten years. Knowsley, Sandwell, Barking and Dagenham are all expected to see a rate of 52 per cent, while 51 per cent of children in Wolverhampton, Walsall and Newham are predicted to be overweight. Luton and Nottingham have a 50 per cent predicted rate of children being obese or overweight. The report, called Playground Rules, calls for the new Ofsted inspection framework to highlight the work schools do to promote wellbeing and physical activity. It also recommends that PE should be revised to encourage a specific focus on increasing physical activity across the school day, rather than the narrow confines of PE lessons. The report also advises that the government publish a national Youth Physical Activity strategy, setting out what is expected from both schools and other parts of the public sector. Mr Roberts said: 'The habits we form as children last a lifetime. Making physical activity the default in schools will go along away in helping to build a healthier future. Rather than seeing physical activity as something that happens for two hours a week in PE, we need to see it as an integral part of the whole curriculum. '
Yahoo
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Michelle Obama reveals the thing she can't stand about living in Washington DC
Michelle Obama has opened up about the one part of Washington, D.C. that she could live without. The former first lady and her brother, Craig Robinson, were guests on Wednesday's episode of the Las Culturistas podcast with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, where the siblings discussed their 'I don't think so, honey,' which is a trend or popular item they don't support. Obama's was a key part of the city's monuments tour: the Segways. 'They go so slow,' she told the podcast hosts. 'It's just annoying that they go so slow. You just want to get off and walk.' 'You know, we are dealing with an obesity crisis in the world,' she continued. 'We meet people walking, and if you're on a motorized thing that doesn't move any faster than you walk, then I say, 'Please please take the helmet off' because you don't need it on a Segway and just walk a little bit.' She also mentioned that she often finds Segway riders in the bike lane on the road, which she doesn't think is necessary based on their speed. 'Please, Americans, get off the Segways, put on your walking shoes, and let's move,' Obama said. The former first lady has previously appeared on other podcasts in addition to her own show alongside her brother, IMO with Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson. Last week, the two spoke with Bruce Springsteen when Obama admitted to admiring the relationship between the 'Born in the U.S.A' singer and his wife, Patti Scialfa. 'I marvel at you and Patti and the work that you all have done,' she said. 'You and Patti have been couple mentors for me and Barack for quite some time.' '[We are] watching you guys do the work, getting advice on how to keep those lines of communication open,' she added, praising the two of them for being 'powerhouses in [their] own right … merging those lives together.' Springsteen and Scialfa have been married for over 30 years and share three children together. Meanwhile, the Obamas have also been married for more than 30 years and share two daughters. After spending so many years together, Barack started giving dating advice to the CEO of Airbnb, Brian Chesky, which he revealed during a previous episode of Michelle's IMO podcast. 'One time I was like — I met somebody and I was about to go on a date with — I went on a date with them and I remember telling him like, 'Oh my God, she checks all the boxes and like this, this, this, this, this,'' Chesky told Michelle and her brother last month. 'And I remember him saying something. He said, it's not a checklist.' Chesky explained that he never considered that he had adopted this mindset until after Barack pointed out what he should really be looking for in a long-term partner.
BBC News
17-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Hove residents protest against McDonald's restaurant plan
A protest has been held over plans for a McDonald's restaurant and drive-through in said they were concerned about litter, traffic and how close the Old Shoreham Road site would be to four schools in the 50 protesters waved banners which read "I'm not lovin' it" and chanted "no McDonald's". McDonald's said it would bring 120 jobs to the local area and strived to be a good neighbour in communities where it operated. 'Obesity crisis' Charlie Boden, a local resident, said: "There are three primary schools and three secondary schools where streams of children are walking past. "We have an obesity crisis in this country and it's against all our wishes."Pat Collard, who has lived nearby for 40 years, said: "People feel terrible about it, they don't like it at all. "McDonald's are better in shopping precincts but not on a main road like here. "My husband doesn't turn out on to the road sometimes because of all the traffic." "People are against this because of the traffic, the noise and there's also 3,000 children going through here and parents are concerned about health issues for children," said Faiza Baghoth, Labour councillor for Hangleton and Knoll at Brighton & Hove City Rickards, another resident, said there was "great concern" about traffic and children's added: "The crossing up the road at Holmes Avenue is quite a black spot for accidents."Two existing buildings would need to be demolished to make room for the fast food restaurant, which would have 79 seats and 42 car parking spaces. Brighton & Hove City Council has not yet set a date to discuss the planning closest drive-through McDonald's restaurants for people in Brighton and Hove are currently in Shoreham and at Brighton Marina.A McDonald's spokesperson said the McDonald's would bring significant investment to the area and 120 jobs. The spokesperson added that 89% of items in its core menu contain under 500 calories and nearly 60% of the menu is classified as not high in fat, salt or sugar.
