A new strategy for healthier lives

The strategy will bring together employers, individuals and communities to promote children's health and healthy food; build physical activity into their lives; support health at work; and provide incentives more widely to promote health. It will also provide effective treatment and support when people become overweight and obese. The five key elements of the strategy are: Healthy growth and development of children; Promoting healthier food choices; Building physical activity into our lives; Creating incentives for better health, and Personalised advice and support. Alan Johnson said: "Tackling obesity is the most significant public and personal health challenge facing our society. The core of the problem is simple – we eat too much and we do too little exercise. The solution is more complex. From the nature of the food that we eat, to the built environment, through to the way our children lead their lives – it is harder to avoid obesity in the modern environment. "It is not the Government's role to hector or lecture people, but we do have a duty to support them in leading healthier lifestyles. This will only succeed is the problem is recognised, owned and addressed in every part of society." In England alone, nearly a quarter of men and women are now obese. The trends for children are even more cause for concern, with 18% of 2 to 15 year olds currently obese and a further 14% overweight. The Foresight report on obesity, published last year, predicts that nearly 60% of the UK population could be obese by 2050.