Obesity and associated metabolic disorders are a rising global health and social issue. But with current approaches limited by their poor long-term effectiveness (as well as potential side effects and surgical risks), researchers believe gene therapy...
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has ruled out imposing a tax on HFSS (high in fat, sugar and salt) foods, but promises to ban the advertising of ‘harmful’ junk food and sugary snacks to children if his party is elected to power.
How are attitudes changing towards tackling obesity? And could new technological developments help mitigate the epidemic? Oxford biologist Sir Charles Godfray, the keynote speaker at this year’s City Food and Drink Lecture at the Guildhall, London, weighs...
As criticism around ultra-processed food builds, a panel of nutritionists and food engineers argue the practice has huge potential in producing safer and environmentally sustainable nutrition to the masses.
Analysis of the effects of a transitional standard diet (TSD) and probiotic supplementation found a synergistic effect on diet-induced obesity, helping to lower fat build-up and systemic inflammation.
A row has broken about a UK government healthy eating tool for families and children that campaigners say is promoting ultra-processed foods despite their links to cancer, heart disease and early death.
Higher consumption of foods that are classified as ultra-processed may be linked to increased risk of both developing and dying from cancer, according to the findings of a study lead by Imperial College London.
Additional strategies beyond a soft drinks levy will be needed to reduce obesity, particularly in older boys and younger children, according to new Cambridge University research that some have called ‘speculative’.
Removing around 216 calories from the daily intake of people who are overweight or obese would set England on a path to halve obesity by 2030, according to research published by the innovation charity Nesta. The analysis found that it is possible to achieve...
Consumers who eat dairy products as well as fruit and vegetables may have a lower risk of becoming obese, according to a cross-sectional study on almost 30,000 adults.
Food and drink labels showing the amount of physical activity required to burn off their calories have no impact on tackling obesity, according to the largest study of its kind in the UK.
The Food (Promotion and Placement) (England) Regulations 2021 come into force tomorrow, placing location restrictions on ‘less healthy’ products that are high in fat, salt and sugar (HFSS) – however, these have once again been knocked as nothing more...
Most of us know that dietary fibre is good for us – and still the majority of people don’t eat enough. What implications does this have for our microbiomes? And how does this relate to issues like cardiovascular disease, digestive disorders and colon...
Junk food advertising restrictions on Transport for London (TfL) networks have prevented almost 100,000 obesity cases and are expected to save the UK’s National Health Service over £200 million, according to new research that critics have accused of using...
Nine in 10 UK shoppers would still buy sweets or chocolate if they weren’t on offer, yet most consumers think that less fat, sugar and salt in supermarket foods is a good idea.
There is widespread confusion among people of all ages about which foods do and do not count towards your 5-a-day or provide certain nutrients, including fibre and protein, reveals a survey conducted by the British Nutrition Foundation.
In a move which has satisfied trade bodies but disheartened health campaigners and some challenger brands, the UK government has announced a one-year delay to the proposed ban on buy-one-get-one-free deals for foods high in fat, salt or sugar.
The Access to Nutrition Initiative (ATNI), in partnership with ShareAction, has published what it bills as the first comprehensive assessment of food retailers’ contribution to consumer health anywhere in the world. The results are in, and they aren’t...
Most food and drink content posted by German influencers on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube is so unhealthy it fails World Health Organisation (WHO) advertising standards for children, claims research from the Medical University of Vienna.
A new report reveals the majority of Brits do not consider the soon-to-be implemented ‘tobacco-style’ controls of high fat, sugar and salt (HFSS) products will help in the fight against obesity.
High fixed costs for retailing fresh fruit and vegetables mean their price is distorted by 40% compared to ‘unhealthy alternatives’ which trade at close to marginal cost, fresh research reveals. The study authors are calling for subsidies to address this...
Obesity in children and youths is a major health challenge around the world. In Germany alone, according to the Robert Koch Institute, one in six children is overweight or obese.
A group of researchers argue that a methionine restricting diet may be the best way to reverse the damage a high fat diet can do to the muscles of older obese subjects.
The Food Innovation Hub Europe – an initiative from the World Economic Forum, Foodvalley NL and partners – has launched Booster, a prize award that aims to support initiatives aimed at reducing obesity.
Fresh research from the UK suggests that the ten largest food businesses operating in the country have made little progress to improve the nutritional quality of their products over a four-year period. The report’s authors suggest more aggressive policy...
A host of market data and food company reports in the past year have suggested COVID-19 has accelerated and amplified interest in functional and healthy foods that deliver wellbeing benefits such as immunity and stress management.
A new food discovery app is pioneering a manifesto to ‘make healthier food better business’ – and the company has secured the backing of big brands including Unilever and Yo!Sushi.
The Food and Drink Federation says UK plans to restrict in-store promotions of foods high in fat, salt and sugar will deter companies from developing lower sugar and fat alternatives.
The health benefits of sardines and oily fish are already widely known. Their high levels of unsaturated fats help to regulate cholesterol levels and prevent the onset of cardiovascular diseases.
The supermarket’s goal to increase sales of plant-based meat alternatives by 300% by 2025 could fall foul of the UK government’s plans to restrict promotions of unhealthy foods from April next year, a group of investors has cautioned.
The UK Government’s restrictions on high fat, sugar and salt (HFSS) products to tackle obesity should not affect sports nutrition food products, says the European Specialist Sports Nutrition Alliance (ESSNA).
Eating traditions must be preserved in order to maintain the benefits of the Mediterranean diet and promote the health of the younger generations, according to Spanish research.
In a move said to illustrate rising investor concerns with companies’ health impacts, the UK’s largest supermarket Tesco has announced it aims to increase the proportion of sales from healthier products to 65% by 2025.
With the food industry under increased pressure to promote healthier diets, address obesity and reduce diet-related diseases, more evidence emerges to suggest environmental factors, specifically screen time and poor sleep, may go hand-in-hand with overconsumption.
Tesco has come under fire from a group of investors for what they characterise as the supermarket’s ‘role in the UK obesity crisis’. However, the retailer hit back, insisting it has ‘strong plans’ to make it ‘the easiest place to shop for healthy and...
Food brands and supermarket retailers seeking to improve the healthiness of consumer baskets in two of London’s ‘most challenging’ boroughs have been rewarded with ‘very encouraging’ first year results.
The predictive analytics provider told BakeryandSnacks the UK savoury snacks industry stands to lose £381.1m, while the bakery sector is at risk of losing £143.4m should the government’s injunction on advertising products labelled as high in fat, sugar...
A soup and shake weight-loss diet prescribed by the UK National Health Service to tackle type 2 diabetes has stirred a row over long ingredients lists.
New legislation including ban on TV advertisements for HFSS food before 9pm – and a complete ban on online adverts - is being considered by ministers as study reveals fresh evidence between obesity and risk of catching COVID-19.
A new study from City, University of London, finds that the effects of an overweight or obese father are different to that of a mother and will have unique impacts on their children’s health.
Botanical ingredients supplier Euromed claims a study shows that its fig extract product, called ABAlife, can lower the glycaemic index of foods, and could potentially be a treatment for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes, while also help to make products...
The government’s new obesity strategy for England will raise prices, reduce consumer choice, threaten jobs and stifle innovation. And all to save 17 calories a day, says the FDF.
A coalition of investors is calling on Tesco, the UK’s largest retailer, to disclose details of healthy food and drink sales and set ‘ambitious targets’ to increase these over time.
Public health campaigner Action on Sugar and Action on Salt has fleshed out the details on the interventionist measures it wants adopted in the UK to combat obesity and improve the nation’s health.
A cardiologist has blamed the food industry for ‘normalising’ ultra-processed junk food as more evidence emerges suggesting poor diet is the root cause behind increased mortality from Covid-19.
