At a glance: Obesity report

The report looks at ways of tackling obesity

A scathing report by a committee of MPs says too little has been done to tackle the growing obesity epidemic.

The Health Select Committee estimates the costs of obesity is £3.7bn per year - a 42% increase on previous estimates.

BBC News Online looks at the report's key recommendations:

What the government should do:

• Adopt a health education campaign spelling out the health risks of being obese and overweight
• Carry out a national food survey to see what people really eat plus research into the link between alcohol and obesity
• Department for Culture, Media and Sport to review how foods are marketed - including celebrity endorsements - to see how healthy eating messages could be included
• Legislate for the introduction of a "traffic light" system in supermarkets to label food as high, medium or low energy
• Reassess VAT rules to eliminate anomalies in the current system
• The Department of Transport to introduce a national walking strategy
• Aim to meet the target of trebling the number who cycle by 2010

What the food industry should do:

• Introduce a voluntary ban on TV junk food ads aimed at children,
• Agree clear public health targets
• Supermarkets should reduce the cost of healthy foods compared to unhealthy ones
• Remove confectionary from check-outs
• Fast-food outlets to offer more fruit and salad

What schools should do:

• Introduce a "food curriculum" where all children receive cookery lessons and learn about nutrition and food labelling
• Government should issue guidance telling schools not to accept sponsorship from junk food firms or install snack vending machines
• Three hours of PE for children each week
• Measure children's BMI annually

What the NHS should do:

• Take action at all levels, including setting up a specialist obesity clinic in each primary care trust, and expanded hospital services
• Ensure treatments - drugs and surgery - are available where patients live
• Ensure obese children have access to specialist care