NATIONAL OBESITY AWARENESS WEEK

Early day motion 857, tabled 8 March 2005 by Sir David Amess (Conservative). Signed by 76 members.

That this House notes that the level of obesity in the United Kingdom has more than trebled over the last 20 years and that two thirds of the population of England are overweight or obese; congratulates The Obesity Awareness and Solutions Trust (TOAST) on the organisation of National Obesity Awareness Week 2005 commencing on 13th March; welcomes the launch by TOAST of a National Help and Information line to support those living with obesity and their families; invites the Department of Health to reconsider its decision not to assist TOAST with funding; extends to TOAST its best wishes for continuing success in highlighting the scale and causes of obesity and in providing practical support for those who are overweight and obese; calls upon the Government to acknowledge the complex and multifaceted nature of obesity; highlights the need to promote better access to a range of possible solutions in delivering the Public Health White Paper policy in relation to obesity; and further calls upon the Government to improve local referral services and to enhance availability of appropriate services.

Signatures by party: Labour 29, Conservative 26, Liberal Democrat 12, DUP 3, Labour/Co-operative 3, UUP 3.