Subject: DOH:CONSULTATION LAUNCHED ON FOOD & HEALTH ACTION PLAN DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH 004/0170 6 May 2004 CHOOSING HEALTH? CONSULTATION LAUNCHED ON FOOD AND HEALTH ACTION PLAN AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY Wide ranging questions on how to improve food and fitness in the UK were published for consultation today by Health Minister, Melanie Johnson and Sports Minister, Richard Caborn. The documents - 'Choosing Health? Choosing a Better Diet,' and 'Choosing Health? Choosing activity' - are part of a major public consultation on improving the nation's health, being held over the next few months. The results of this, and other strands of the consultation, which will inform proposals in a White Paper to be published in the Summer. Melanie Johnson said: "The Government is absolutely committed to making sure that everyone can lead a healthier life; nutrition and health is one aspect of people's lives where simple changes can make a big difference to the risk of chronic conditions such as type II diabetes. But this issue is not just for Government - lasting improvements are only achievable if others, including the food industry, consumer groups, health experts and the media work together over the coming years to tackle the issues." "Individuals also have to take responsibility for their diets or those of people in their charge. The Government and others can, and should, support consumers, providing them with easier access to a wider range of healthier foods and, crucially, the information and knowledge needed to make informed choices about their diets." Richard Caborn, Sports Minister, said: "Obesity levels in England have tripled in the past two decades. The reasons for this increase are complex but there's no doubt that a major factor is inactivity in both adults, and, most worringly , children. Creating a more active nation is a priority for the whole of Government, which is why Departments are now working together via the Activity Coordination Team (ACT) with key partners to forge a healthier nation. I am sure that the findings of Choosing a Better Diet and Choosing Activity consultations will inform the Public Health White Paper in the Summer and play a key role in our evolving strategy for a fitter nation." Amongst a range of proposals, subjects under discussion include: - Encouraging employers (in the public, private and voluntary sectors) to create active workplaces by providing incentives and support. - Developing more opportunities for physical activity for people who are not in education or work including older adolescents, people with disabilities, parents of young families, unemployed and retired people. - Encouraging more activity in early years settings and schools, during play and lunch breaks. - Food retailers, including fast food shops and caterers reducing the salt, total and saturated fat and sugar content of food and providing better access to fruit and vegetables and higher fibre products. - Promotion of healthier portion sizing. - Developing a more coherent whole school approach to healthy eating in schools to supply the range of foods children need for a healthy diet. The consultation period ends on 16th June 2004. NOTES TO EDITORS 1. The full consultation documents are available on www.dh.gov.uk 2. Media enquiries only to Alison Langley, DH Media Centre, 0207 210 5649. For public inquiries please contact 0207 210 4850. 3. The Choosing Health? consultation was announced in PN 2004/0090 on 3 March 2004. [ENDS] -------------------------------------------------------------------- GNNREF: 94436 Issued by : DOH Press Office Contact : If you have any queries relating to this press release, please forward this e-mail to the Press Office e-mail address provided above, or alternatively contact the originating Press Office by telephone. (Media queries only) Please DO NOT attempt to reply to the sender of this e-mail. The sender is involved solely as a broadcasting agent and cannot process e-mailed queries. Any attached files with a .DOC extension should be read using a word processor capable of reading Word 97 files. If you believe that the originating body is sending you Word 2000 files that you are not yet capable of reading, ask them to save future files in an earlier version.