UK announces plan to tackle 'obesity time bomb'

<p class="p1">The UK govt has announced plans to tackle the "obesity time bomb", with a ban on adverts for junk food at specific times, the cancellation of "buy one get one free" deals on such items, and a decision to put the calorie count on menus.</p>
<p class="p1">In addition to the ban on adverts before 9 p.m., on food deals and plans for calorie counts on menus, the government said that it will arrange a consultation about displaying calories on alcohol, reports Xinhua news agency.</p>
<p class="p1">Prime Minister Boris Johnson will unveil the strategy today amid growing evidence of a link between obesity and an increased risk from Covid-19.</p>
<p class="p1">Government statistics have shown that nearly 8 per cent of critically ill patients in intensive care units with the virus have been morbidly obese, compared with 2.9 per cent of the general population.</p>
<p class="p1">The British are more overweight than any other nation in Europe except the Maltese, he said last month, adding that his government described "tackling the obesity time bomb" as a priority.</p>
<p class="p1">"Losing weight is hard but with some small changes we can all feel fitter and healthier," Johnson said in a statement.</p>
<p class="p1">"If we all do our bit, we can reduce our health risks and protect ourselves against coronavirus — as well as taking pressure off the NHS (National Health Service)," he added.</p>.