Action targeting childhood obesity was issued in 2016 and updated in 2018, and includes proposals around:9,22

·       taxing sugary drinks – the soft drinks industry levy (SDIL)

·       reducing sugar content in food products

·       promoting healthier food and drink options

·       restricting advertising on high fat, salt or sugar (HFSS) products

·       encouraging increased activity.

Public Health England reported a 28.8 per cent reduction in total sugar content per 100ml between 2015 and 2018 for the drinks affected by the SDIL.9

The strategy also wants health professionals to “feel confident discussing nutrition and weight issues with children, their families and adults.” Available tools include the ‘Change 4 Life’ heathy eating advice website (https://www.nhs.uk/change4life).22,23

A Cochrane meta-analysis has also found that combining diet and physical activity interventions can reduce the risk of obesity in young children, but physical activity on its own does not appear to be effective in reducing BMI in children under 5 years, unlike in older 6-18 age groups.24