The rising levels of obesity could bankrupt the NHS if left unchecked, a British Medical Journal report warns.
A study in British Medical Journal includes a checklist of possible actions to reduce obesity problems:
# Printing a helpline numbers for advice with all clothes sold with a waist of more than 40in for men and 37in for boys, women?s garments with a waist of more than 35in or size 16 or above, and more than 31in for girls
# Banning the placement of sweets and fatty snacks at or near shop tills and at children?s eye level
# Taxing processed foods that are high in sugar or saturated fat
# Introducing health checks for all school leavers, both primary and secondary
# Allowing new urban roads only if they have cycle lanes
# Establishing a dedicated central agency responsible for all aspects of obesity
The report was published by Laurence Gruer, director of public health science at NHS Health Scotland, and Sir George, who is emeritus professor of medicine at Newcastle University. The Glasgow University professors Naveed Sattar and Mike Lean also contributed to the report, which calls for wider acceptance of drugs and surgery as ways of cutting the health risks that stem from obesity.