The report, whose authors include Sir George Alberti, the Government's national director for emergency access, said overweight people needed help and advice to overcome their problem. It included a checklist of possible actions to help obesity, such as printing the telephone numbers of helplines that offer advice to help lose weight on larger sized clothes.
The authors recommended the helpline numbers should be included with all clothes that have waist sizes above 40in for men, 37in for boys, and above size 16 for women, or 31in waist for girls.
The checklist also called for a ban on the placement of sweets and energy-dense snacks and drinks at or near shop tills, or at child's eye level.
The report said: 'People clearly have some responsibility for their health, but society and the Government have a responsibility to make the preferred, easy choices healthier ones.'
The authors warned that if nothing is done, soaring levels of obesity could bankrupt the health system. They concluded that the medical practice must adapt to the current epidemic of obesity and that doctors should be urged to help bring about positive changes, particularly in the food industry.
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