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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Politics
Denis Campbell Health policy editor

Nanny statism fears behind UK’s 30-year failure to tackle obesity, report says

Sweets and crisps in a vending machine
Campaigners want food firms to be forced to reduce fat, salt and sugar levels in their products. Photograph: Ben Birchall/PA

Fears of “nanny statism” have led to a failure by every UK government of the last 30 years to tackle the obesity crisis, a report claims, as it emerged that the condition now costs the NHS £6.5bn a year.

Labour and Conservative governments have displayed a similar reluctance to get too closely involved in a subject widely seen as a minefield, according to the Institute for Government (IfG).

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