Lamb: Govt has not supported obesity prevention

Norman Lamb, Liberal Democrat health spokesman comments on the UK's obesity problem:

"While there have been improvements in healthcare, these threaten to be undermined by the alarming rises in obesity-related illnesses in this country.

"We need a health system that focuses on prevention as well as cure. Problems often start at a young age.

"Ministers have sat idly by and allowed the programmes which could cut the number of obesity related health problems in the long-term to wither due to lack of funds. This short-sightedness is costing the NHS dearly.

"The health crisis in this country won’t be solved through the haphazard use of targets. We need to ensure that the message about the vital importance of a healthy lifestyle gets through to the public - especially to children and families."