Fighting obesity - Tax fizzy drinks call

The battle against childhood obesity intensified yesterday when Britain’s Academy of Medical Royal Colleges, which represents nearly every one of Britain’s 220,000 doctors, demanded action on what it calls “the greatest public health crisis affecting the UK”.

The doctors did not put a tooth in it, and said that fizzy drinks should be taxed, that fast food outlets near schools should be constrained, and that first-time parents should be taught how to feed their children properly.

As one in four Irish primary school children are obese, maybe we should consider, if not more or less immediately implement, copycat measures to protect our children.

It seems that changing lifestyles — especially more sedentary, less active children — and families’ poor understanding of cooking and what represents healthy food contribute to the problem. As Government struggle to balance the books, surely a source of revenue that might help make our children healthier is to be welcomed. Why are we waiting?