Public Health England (PHE) has announced new plans to help cut calorie intake and reduce childhood and adult obesity.
The latest PHE press release includes:
- New evidence highlighting overweight or obese boys and girls consume up to 500 and 290 calories too many each day respectively
- A challenge to the food industry to reduce calories in products consumed by families by 20% by 2024
- The launch of the One You campaign, which encourages adults to consume 400 calories at breakfast, and 600 for lunch and dinner. This comes as adults consume 200–300 calories in excess each day.
‘The simple truth is on average we need to eat less,’ Duncan Selbie, chief executive of PHE, said.
‘Children and adults routinely eat too many calories and it’s why so many are overweight or obese.
‘Industry can help families by finding innovative ways to lower the calories in the food we all enjoy, and promoting UK business leadership on the world stage in tackling obesity.’
Calorie reduction
The Government is challenging the food industry in its publication Calorie reduction: the scope and ambition for action.
In the publication, Public Health England is encouraging the food industry to:
- Change the recipe of products
- Reduce portion size
- Encourage consumers to purchase lower calorie products.
Pizzas, ready meals, ready-made sandwiches, meat products and savoury snacks are the main food categories covered in Calorie reduction: the scope and ambition for action.
‘It’s hard for people to make healthy food choices, whether for themselves or their families,’ Dr Alison Tedstone, chief nutritionist at PHE, said.
‘That’s why we are challenging the food industry to take 20% of the calories out of everyday foods, building on their good work on salt and promising announcements on sugar.
‘We are also working through our campaign and its partners, to give the public the information they need to help make those choices easier.’
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One You partners
The One You campaign aims to make people more aware of the calories they consume on a daily basis.
It is suggesting people remember the tip 400-600-600:
- 400 calories at breakfast
- 600 calories at lunch
- 600 calories at dinner
PHE claims many high-street brands have partnered with it over the One You campaign.
