As all parents know, our children are getting more clever, more demanding, some may even say somewhat spoiled, especially if it is the only child in the family. Our materialistic society plays a big part in the obesity epidemic that may inundate our already under pressure NHS in a decade, especially as the ever increasing older population will also make their mark on the NHS. We all live longer but not necessarily a healthy life in our retirement.
As widely publicized in our national news-papers, unlimited supply of sugar loaded soft drinks at so many nation-wide food chains; especially catering for children and youngsters and families, with free refill self-service as part of their meal deals, from “Soda Fountain” machines, that attracts the attention of children and plays a big part in the increase of sugar intake among our children, resulting in the epidemic of obesity in adult life with increase of such medical conditions like diabetics, high blood pressure, increased cholesterol level, as well as heart problems.
Not only we have snowflake parents with children setting the agenda but also snowflake government who is the last to act in EU on health related matters, with industries and businesses having undue influence on the government policies, some say it is due to their reliance on the donations, especially at election times, that enables them to influence, even dictate government policies.
As usual Scotland gives us the lead in such legislation, with pegged alcohol unit price, free prescriptions and perhaps Scotland will be the first to ban free refills as well while we in England will rely on the voluntary measures, on the goodwill of these food-chains where profits precedes, take priority over health matters.
Government should take a hint from France where the government recently banned free refills, bottomless supply of such drinks nationwide. The acclaimed chef Jamie Oliver, advocate of healthy, balanced food, urged the PM to ban junk food adverts on transport, such as busses, extend the sugar tax on milkshakes and prohibit junk food adverts on TV before 9pm watershed.
Kumudini Valambia
By email
