Doctors fear fat epidemic

Doctors today give their gravest warning yet of the "terrifying" obesity timebomb facing Britain.

They predict that unless action is taken now a third of adults, a third of girls and a fifth of boys will be obese by 2020.

Their report claims that heart disease, strokes, joint problems and diabetes are the direct result of obesity.

Professor Peter Kopelman, chairman of a working party which put together the findings, said: "The report identifies responsibilities of every segment of society from central government to individual families, and makes practical and realistic recommendations that need to be taken forward immediately to achieve a slimmer and healthier nation."

He said their work "highlights the terrifying health consequences of the obesity epidemic that will particularly impact on our children unless effective and coherent preventive measures are taken".

The detailed investigation is the work of the Royal College of Physicians, the Faculty of Public Health and the Royal College of Paediatricians and Child Health.

They are calling for radical changes in food labelling and health education and have urged the Government to develop nationwide strategies at Cabinet level.