Fat chances

Published: 6 May, 2011

• LEADER of the pack in the US on policies for tackling obesity is New York City.   

Calorie-posting is required in all chains with 15 or more outlets and transfats are banned in restaurants. In city-funded schools, breakfast is available for all children, low-fat milk has replaced full-fat, chips are baked instead of fried and sugary drinks are no longer for sale. All food bought or provided by city agencies has to meet nutritional standards on fat, sugar and salt. 

These are some of the findings from London Metropolitan University/ City University of New York collaborative devoted to comparing what New York and London are doing to tackle childhood obesity. See more at [PDF] A Tale of Two ObesCities. 

As the Mayor has had a statutory duty since 2007 to reduce inequalities in health, the London Health Inequalities Strategy should take pride of place in tackling the obesity epidemic.

PROFESSOR EILEEN O’KEEFE
London Metropolitan University