The Department of Health has once again delayed the release of the childhood obesity strategy to the autumn.
The strategy was scheduled for release in December 2015 and was subsequently delayed until summer 2016. The Department of Health has now confirmed that the release has been pushed back until autumn 2016.
This decision has sparked concerns in charities and organisations, saying that it was 'disappointing'.
A joint statement from the Obesity Alliance, a coalition of over 30 charities including Diabetes UK, the British Heart Foundation, and medical royal colleges, said: 'For the sake of our children’s health it’s vital we tackle the obesity epidemic which is jeopardizing their future wellbeing.'
It urges the government to use the nest few weeks to ensure the strategy is comprehensive and one that 'trult has children's health and wellbeing at its heart'.
'To ensure the strategy is effective it must include measures to significantly reduce sugar, saturated fat and salt from food and drinks, close loopholes to reduce children's exposure to junk food marketing and include full implementation of the soft drinks industry levy,' the Alliance said.