Amid soaring rates of childhood obesity, Liberal Democrat MP Wera Hobhouse joined a coalition of Parliamentarians and celebrity chef Jamie Oliver in London this week to confront one of the UK’s most pressing health crises.
Parliamentarians such as Liberal Democrat Peer, Baroness Walmsley, and chair of the health all-party parliamentary group, Dr Simon Opher attended the event hosted by Chris Webb MP and Jamie Oliver’s team.
The discussions at the restaurant focused on tackling the crisis of childhood obesity especially in more deprived communities. The correlation between deprivation and obesity is stark. Over the last decade, the percentage of children leaving primary school with obesity or an unhealthy weight has soared. This trend is steeper for those experiencing deprivation.
Mrs Hobhouse is urging the government to do more to address the direct link between obesity and deprivation especially within schools. She is campaigning to make school meals healthier so that all children have access to a balanced, nutritional meal each day.
Wera Hobhouse MP with data highlighting the direct link between obesity and deprivation.
The Bath MP will push the government to consider this strategy during a Parliamentary debate on January 13 on the impact of food and diet on obesity, led by Dr Opher.
Wera Hobhouse, Liberal Democrat MP for Bath, said: “There is no denying that the UK is facing a childhood obesity epidemic. After the Conservatives failed to take the necessary steps to prevent the crisis, it’s clear the new government have a lot of work to do to put things right.
“While there is certainly no quick fix, Labour must take these challenges seriously to protect the health of younger generations.
“As there is a stark link between deprivation and obesity, we need to make sure children are eating healthy meals at school. That way, every child will be able to access balanced, nutritious food to help them thrive.”