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Experts comment on a new press release sent out by the government entitled ‘Healthy food revolution to tackle obesity epidemic’.
Prof Andrew Prentice, Professor of International Nutrition at London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, said:
“I’m delighted to see government working hand in hand with food manufacturers and retailers. As industry is perceived by many as being part of the problem in creating an obesogenic environment, they must be part of the solution.’
“The devil will be in the detail and it is a bit concerning to read that ‘large retailers including supermarkets will set a new standard’ but this may be careless wording in the press release. Elsewhere it is clear that the Food Strategy Advisory Board will lead the charge.
“Mandatory reporting of healthy/unhealthy food sales is an important first step but will presumably only affect the largest outlets. Other initiatives will be required for the thousands of smaller food producers and outlets.’
“The issue of government creating a level playing field is key. This will help companies reduce sugar and fat from products without fear of losing out to competitors who do not.”
Prof Tom Sanders, Professor Emeritus of Nutrition and Dietetics, King’s College London, said:
“The claim made in the Press Release that Public Health experts believe that reducing daily diet by just 50 calories would lift 340,000 children and 2 million adults out of obesity is not a view that most experts in nutrition would share.
“In theory, very small reductions in daily calorie intake (50 kcal) should stop unhealthy weight gain. But there is little evidence to support this because in practice individuals adapt to small reductions or increases in calorie intake by reducing or increasing energy expenditure. Put into perspective, 50 kcal is the energy expended by 10 minutes brisk walking.
“There is very limited evidence from one randomised controlled trial in children showing that swapping a can of full sugar drink for a can of diet drink consumed five times a week for a year and a half reduced unhealthy weight gain by just over 1kg. The results of that study found the weight gain was far less than predicted.
“Most randomised controlled trials show you need to reduce calories intake by at least 300 kcal for a sustained period time to lose weight. Weight gain also tends to occur during periods of excessive consumption (e.g. Christmas and festive periods) or when physical activity is low.
“Discretionary foods consumed outside the home (crisps, morning goods, cakes, ice-cream) as well as alcoholic drinks are particularly fattening and recent reports suggest we need to focus on these and change eating behaviours, which continue to get worse.
“Food manufacturers have already reduced portion sizes of foods by ‘shrinkflation’ (less food at higher prices) but so far this has had little impact on obesity.
“Tackling obesity can only be effective if it changes the obesogenic environment which is characterised by sedentary behaviour and over-exposure to high calorie food.”
* www.gov.uk/government/news/healthy-food-revolution-to-tackle-obesity-epidemic
Declared interests
Prof Tom Sanders: “I have received grant funding for research on vegans in the past. I have been retired for 10 years but during my career at King’s College London, I formerly acted as consultant for companies that made artificial sweeteners and sugar substitutes.
“I am a member of the Programme Advisory Committee of the Malaysia Palm Oil Board which involves the review of research projects proposed by the Malaysia government.
“I also used to be a member of the Scientific Advisory Committee of the Global Dairy Platform up until 2015.
“I did do some consultancy work on GRAS affirmation of high oleic palm oil for Archer Daniel Midland more than ten years ago.
“My research group received oils and fats free of charge from Unilever and Archer Daniel Midland for our Food Standards Agency Research.
“I was a member of the FAO/WHO Joint Expert Committee that recommended that trans fatty acids be removed from the human food chain.
“Member of the Science Committee British Nutrition Foundation. Honorary Nutritional Director HEART UK.
“Before my retirement from King’s College London in 2014, I acted as a consultant to many companies and organisations involved in the manufacture of what are now designated ultraprocessed foods.
“I used to be a consultant to the Breakfast Cereals Advisory Board of the Food and Drink Federation.
“I used to be a consultant for aspartame more than a decade ago.
“When I was doing research at King’ College London, the following applied: Tom does not hold any grants or have any consultancies with companies involved in the production or marketing of sugar-sweetened drinks. In reference to previous funding to Tom’s institution: £4.5 million was donated to King’s College London by Tate & Lyle in 2006; this funding finished in 2011. This money was given to the College and was in recognition of the discovery of the artificial sweetener sucralose by Prof Hough at the Queen Elizabeth College (QEC), which merged with King’s College London. The Tate & Lyle grant paid for the Clinical Research Centre at St Thomas’ that is run by the Guy’s & St Thomas’ Trust, it was not used to fund research on sugar. Tate & Lyle sold their sugar interests to American Sugar so the brand Tate & Lyle still exists but it is no longer linked to the company Tate & Lyle PLC, which gave the money to King’s College London in 2006.”
Andrew Prentice: “I sit on the Global Nutrition Science Council for the Nestlé Nutrition Institute (NNI), an educational initiative, and create content for them (lectures, articles and podcasts for health care professionals).”