The UK-based Social Issues Research Centre (SIRC) has released a new analysis of local data concerning obesity. The study criticises a recent UK government White Paper which points to the "rapid increase in child and adult obesity over the past decade", as well as other reports with a similar message.
Analysing data from the annual Health Survey for England 2003, the study concludes that there was no significant change in the average weights of children between 1995 and 2003. Moreover, it claims that there is no evidence to prove that the health status of children has deteriorated - i.e. that there has been a significant change in the number of children with chronic illnesses over the past nine years.
The study advises against certain policy measures. "Banning advertising of ‘junk food’ to children and similar measures may be popular in some quarters, but they are targeted at the wrong age group," it concludes.
The SIRC describes itself as an "independent, non-profit organisation". It has received funding from companies, including HP-Danone and Kellogg's, as well as from UK government departments.
EU Health Commissioner Markos Kyprianou recently stressed the importance of promoting healthy lifestyles in an interview with EurActiv. "The overwhelming majority of premature deaths in Europe can be directly linked to poor diet, lack of physical activity, smoking and excessive alcohol consumption," said Mr Kyprianou.
