House of Lords Food, Diet and Obesity Committee calls for urgent action on obesity crisis

The House of Lords Food, Diet and Obesity Committee has issued a powerful call to action, highlighting the dire state of the UK’s food system and the escalating public health crisis caused by obesity. Appointed in January 2024 and re-established in July following the State Opening of Parliament, the Committee has presented a comprehensive report detailing a plan to overhaul the nation's approach to diet and health.

According to the report, England faces one of the highest obesity rates among high-income nations, with two-thirds of adults classified as living with overweight or obesity. Alarmingly, the prevalence of overweight and obesity among children rises from 20 per cent at the start of primary school to nearly 37 per cent by the time they leave. The report underscores the staggering societal cost of obesity, estimated at 1–2 per cent of the UK’s GDP annually, due to healthcare expenses and lost productivity.

The Committee identifies unhealthy diets, driven by the widespread availability and marketing of ultra-processed foods and foods high in fat, salt, and sugar (HFSS), as the main contributors to the crisis. It condemns past government efforts, noting that nearly 700 proposed policies since 1992 have had limited impact due to an overemphasis on individual responsibility rather than addressing systemic drivers. The report warns that this approach exacerbates health inequalities and stigmatises those affected.

To tackle the crisis, the Committee calls for a "radically new approach" to the food industry, proposing the introduction of mandatory regulations. It highlights the success of the Soft Drinks Industry Levy, which reduced sugar content in soft drinks by over a third, as evidence that financial incentives can work. The Committee recommends introducing a sugar and salt reformulation tax, alongside subsidies to make healthy foods more affordable. Moreover, it urges a total ban on advertising HFSS foods and clear nutritional labeling to help consumers make healthier choices.

The report also emphasises the need for an independent oversight framework, suggesting that the Food Standards Agency be given the authority to monitor progress and hold businesses accountable. Large food companies, it argues, must be compelled to report on the healthiness of their product sales.

Recognising the role of ultra-processed foods in the obesity epidemic, the Committee calls for further research but insists that immediate regulation of HFSS foods is essential. The report also addresses inequalities, advocating for stronger support mechanisms such as auto-enrollment in the Healthy Start scheme and increased funding for free school meals to ensure all children have access to nutritious food.

Baroness Jane Smith, Chair of the Committee, stated: “The current state of our food system is failing us, with devastating consequences for public health and the NHS. We need bold, decisive action now to create a healthier future for generations to come.”

The report makes clear that transforming the food system will take sustained effort over decades, but the Committee insists that urgent action is necessary to prevent the crisis from worsening. As the government considers these recommendations, the hope is that a unified, systemic approach will finally turn the tide on obesity and diet-related disease.