Prof Simon Capewell from the University of Liverpool has highlighted an important key message in the fight against obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Sugar and junk food in general are advertised widely with industry placing multi-million pounds of advertising into promoting their products. Public Health researchers, practitioners and advisors across the globe have been advocating for better regulation of sugar in foods, drinks and junk food in general. Mexico is leading the way with increased taxes and President Nieto calling for a “change in culture” which is so badly needed here in the UK (http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/nov/01/mexico-obesity-taxes-junk-food-sugary-drinks-exercise). Public Health England this month launched the “Swap while you shop” campaign (https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/public-health-england) to encourage families to make “one easy swap to help cut sugar and fat” in their shopping baskets. In Greater Manchester, local authorities’ Health and Wellbeing Boards all are committed to reduce obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease through local Health and Wellbeing Strategies. Our recent survey comparing 26 cities across Europe showed Greater Manchester had significantly higher rates of overweight and obesity in adults, especially men aged over 65 years (source EURO-URHIS 2 project www.urhis.eu ).

The Department of Health has a Public Health Responsibility Deal which already has 38 food and drink companies volunteering to improve people’s diets . The National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) have published many guidelines on the prevention of diseases. Making “the healthy choice the easy choice” is a population based approach which will ultimately lead to reducing the large inequalities seen in the UK (http://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/index.jsp?action=bypublichealth&PUBLICHEALTH=Obesity+and+diet).

Many people see this as yet another attack on making personal choices and the ‘nanny state’ but the evidence is clear on the impact of unhealthy diets and lifestyles causing diseases like diabetes, heart attacks, strokes and cancers. Many families across the UK will be affected by loved ones who are suffering or have died due to obesity related diseases. Prof Capewell estimates that obesity and diabetes alone costs “£5 billion every year” and will rise to “£50 billion by 2050”. Our lifestyles, eating and drinking habits are costing society, the NHS and social care a burden that cannot be sustained. How much of our ‘free will’ has been decided for us by large multinational companies and their advertising agencies?