40% of adults in UK to be obese by 2035, as MPs urge government to wage war on junk food

28 July 2023, 06:41

40% of UK adults will be obese by 2035
40% of UK adults will be obese by 2035. Picture: Alamy

By Kit Heren

Four in ten adults in the UK are expected to be obese in little over ten years, as a group of MPs called on the government to help "break the junk food cycle".

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee said that one in five households are struggling to pay for good quality food, which is contributing to the growth in obesity.

And the NHS will be hit by "very significant costs" by rising obesity rates, the MPs said.

Some 26% of adults in the UK are obese as of January 2023. Another 38% are overweight, but not obese.

Meanwhile nearly 18% of households experienced moderate or severe food insecurity in January, with food prices soaring, the committee claimed in their report.

They urged ministers to think about making more children eligible for free school meals.

Read more: Britain's obesity capital revealed as shocking statistics show two-thirds of adults at least overweight

Read more: Diet coaches for two-year-olds as number of obese children nearly trebles in a decade

‘There are more food banks in this country than McDonald’s’ says Leader of Women's Equality Party

Some 800,000 children living in poverty are not entitled to free food at school, as the rules currently stand.

The committee also argued in their report that "many households are skipping meals" amid high food costs - despite supermarkets paying big dividends to shareholders.

Sir Robert Goodwill, the Tory MP who chairs the committee, urged the Government to "read the report carefully and act accordingly".

"Food security matters to us all. It is vital to farmers; it is vital to other food producers. And of course, it is vital for every citizen up and down the land to have a square meal at a reasonable price," he said.

Tom Swarbrick: UK is losing its battle against obesity

"But surprisingly, the Government does not appear to be taking this very basic matter anywhere near seriously enough.

"This report is calling, through its various recommendations, for much more attention to be paid to the guaranteed supply of good quality food - at prices which suit both producers and consumers. I know that is not an easy balance to strike. But that's what government is for."

The MPs warned that food that is high in fat, sugar and salt is "often considerable cheaper" per calorie than healthy food, fuelling obesity levels in poorer households.

They urged the Government to support people to make better choices more accessible and affordable as part of an obesity strategy.

Obesity rates are rising in the UK
Obesity rates are rising in the UK. Picture: Getty

Ministers were urged to carry out a full impact assessment of the introduction of a sugar and salt tax that could help drive healthier choices.

A Government spokesman responded: "We know food prices are worrying for households across the country, which is why we're sticking to our plan to halve inflation this year, and ministers are keeping in close discussion with the industry about the cost of food.

"We have introduced a number of measures to tackle obesity, recently implementing clear food labelling guidelines to help people make healthier choices for themselves and their family when eating out or getting a takeaway.

"We estimate there will be a reduction of 70,000 children and 300,000 adults living with obesity as a result of this policy."

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Emergency services were called just after 7pm on Friday amid reports a woman had suffered serious injuries

'Screaming, shouting, crying': Landlady breaks silence after woman shot dead at village pub - as manhunt continues

Exclusive
Jonathan Reynolds told LBC’s Iain Dale that NATO is ‘a highly effective integrated defensive structure’, and that US requests for higher European spending on the alliance are ‘not unreasonable’.

Europe must ‘work closely’ with US to face Russia, Business Sec tells LBC ahead of emergency Ukraine summit

.T. Miller #10 of Team USA and Colton Parayko #55 of Team Canada fight during the first period in the 4 Nations Face-Off game at the Bell Centre on February 15, 2025

Gloves off: Three fights in first nine seconds as USA beat Canada to reach 4 Nations ice hockey final

Exclusive
Europe must boost defence spending if it wants peace, Ukraine's former PM has told LBC.

‘If you want peace, pay for it', says ex-Ukrainian PM as Starmer to 'overrule' Reeves and boost defence spending

Lucy Letby was ‘shocked and distressed’ during the investigation into the deaths of babies that she was later found guilty of murdering, and ‘deserves an Oscar’ if she was lying, her former boss said.

Lucy Letby was 'innocent', distressed and ‘deserves an Oscar if she was acting’ says former boss

Jockey Michael O'Sullivan at Ascot Racecourse. Picture date: Friday November 22, 2024.

Cheltenham-winning jockey Michael O'Sullivan dies aged just 24 after fall in race

Prime Minister Keir Starmer Meets With Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves At Downing Street

Starmer to 'overrule' Reeves and call for increased defence spending ahead of meeting with Donald Trump

images shared on social media show police arresting a man following the attack.

'Laughing' Syrian asylum seeker who stabbed boy, 14, to death was motivated by 'Islamic terrorism'

Axel Rudakubana has been jailed for 52 years.

FBI joins investigation into Southport killer amid claims he wiped internet search history

Heavy Rush In Trains For Last Amrit Snan On Prayagraj Kumbh

At least 15 dead in train station stampede in New Delhi

Pope Francis Attends The Weekly General Audience on Wednesday.

Pope Francis to miss Sunday prayer due to 'absolute rest' order after bronchitis diagnosis

Udoka Godwin-Malife

Burton Albion defender allegedly target of racist abuse by fan

Applegreen petrol station in New Town, Uckfield, Sussex.

Teenager dies after car overturned at Sussex petrol station

Starmer, Trump and Putin.

'Once in a generation moment': Starmer warns against NATO division ahead of emergency summit on Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin (left) and United States President Donald Trump (right).

US officials heading to Russia-Ukraine peace talks in Saudi Arabia

People look into a cordoned off area where a 23-year-old man stabbed several people in the southern Austria city of Villach,.

Boy, 14, killed and five injured after Syrian asylum seeker goes on knife rampage in Austrian town