The government has promised that it will take concrete action to tackle rising levels of obesity in children “in the autumn.”

The secretary of state for culture, media and sport, Tessa Jowell, made the comments last week at a London seminar on nutrition, education, and advertising for children, organised by the Westminster diet and health forum, a discussion group involving cross party MPs, regulators, and industry representatives.

The government is due to publish its white paper on public health this summer. This will make recommendations on improving diet and exercise in schools and on how manufacturers can reduce the …