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Cancer Research UK's response to the Governement's obesity strategy

Sara Hiom, Cancer Research UK’s director of health information, said: “We welcome publication of the Government's obesity strategy and agree that this is an urgent issue that needs cross government co-ordination and society wide action.

“The evidence linking obesity and being overweight to an increased risk of cancer is compelling. Obesity and overweight are responsible for around 12,000 cancer cases in the UK every year. This figure will rise as more people become overweight and obese and time is of the essence if we are to reverse trends.

“We commend the Government for recognising the scale of the obesity epidemic and the amount of resources and effort needed to help tackle the problem. Cancer Research UK looks forward to working with and supporting the strategy but it's crucial that Government sets itself a challenging timeline for achieving change.

“It’s disappointing that the Government has not committed to a 9pm advertising watershed for food high in salt, sugar and fat at this stage. Research shows that advertising does affect children’s food preferences so the lack of advertising restriction is a missed opportunity.”

23 January 2008