MPs deplore poor progress in combating childhood obesity

The government's attempts to tackle childhood obesity have been beset by “dithering,” “confusion,” and “little coordination” by three key departments, the MP charged with investigating progress on the matter has said. Unless concerted action is taken promptly the proportion of children who are obese will rise sharply, he warns.

Edward Leigh MP, chairman of the public accounts committee, was commenting on the committee's latest report. The committee took evidence on how the Departments of Health; Education and Skills; and Culture, Media, and Sport planned to halt the rise in obesity in children and what they are doing to harness the support of parents and influence …