From banning BOGOF offers and calories on menus - how the government plans to slim down the UK

Being obese increases your chance of death from coronavirus by 40%. Credit: PA

Banning unhealthy snacks at shop checkouts and "Buy One Get One Free" offers, as well as adverts for junk food before 9pm are all part of the government's new plan to slim down the nation.

Almost two-thirds of adults and one-in-three children in the UK are overweight.

On Monday, the prime minister will give more details on the new obesity strategy, so, what's going to be in it?




Shops

Shops will be barred from pushing “buy one, get one free” promotions on unhealthy products as the Government looks to reduce the temptation to snack.

Supermarket managers will also be banned from placing confectionery in tempting locations, such as store entrances and beside checkouts, and will instead be encouraged to offer more discounts on fruit and vegetables.

Promoting confectionery and other high-in-sugar foods at supermarket checkouts or store entrances will be banned. Credit: PA

Advertising

The Prime Minister’s strategy will put an end to junk food adverts on television and online before the 9pm watershed in a bid to shield youngsters at a time when their food preferences are being set.

The government will also hold a consultation into whether the planned internet advertising restrictions could be wider reaching, with a total ban on advertising food high in fat, sugar or salt an option under consideration.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson had pledged results of all in-person tests would be back within 24 hours. Credit: Evening Standard/Jeremy Selwyn

Calorie counting

Ministers will introduce new legislation forcing restaurants and takeaways with more than 250 employees to add calorie labels to their menus to assist diners in making more informed choices.

The Department of Health said a consultation would follow before the end of the year to help decide whether the same type of calorie labelling on alcohol should be required.

GPs will be encouraged to prescribe bike rides to help patients lose weight Credit: Jane Barlow/PA

Health service interventions

To help people lose the pounds, NHS weight management services will be expanding, with more smartphone apps rolled out with the purpose of improving lifestyle and overall health.

The NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme will also see improvements.

GPs will be encouraged to prescribe exercise and other social activities to help people keep fit, with cycling pilots in the poorest areas set to provide bikes to entice people into upping their activity levels.

Food packet labelling

A consultation – the third associated with the strategy – will gather evidence on how the current “traffic light” labelling system on food packets is being used by consumers and industry, while comparing it to other international examples.

The labelling is used to highlight the fat content and other barometers of how healthy a product is to help shoppers understand what is in the food they buy.