Leatherhead Matters

The number of people in England and Wales who are judged to be morbidly obese (usually defined as being twice the ideal weight) is estimated to be over 1.2 million. The rate of growth of this group is, estimated to be about 5% per year. The number of deaths each year among the 1.2+ million is estimated to be 30,000. (Source: HERE).

Government data on alcohol related deaths suggests that there are approximately 7000 deaths/year (although some charities put the figure much higher at 16-20,000 deaths/year.

So the number of deaths from morbid obesity is significantly higher than from alcohol consumption.

The Government’s only response to curtail excess alcohol consumption has been to put an obligation on the proprietors of drinking establishments not to serve customers who have consumed excess alcohol (ie they are drunk)…..although they have banned smoking in all public place (an idea which was unthinkable a decade ago)

So here’s a new policy idea for the Government…….why not put a similar obligation on restaurant & cafe owners. Make them refuse to serve customers who are morbidly obese.

I know, I know….. every one will say “but, you can’t possibly do that!” or, “it couldn’t possibly work!”

And yet, the problem has got so bad in Mississippi, that some local politicians have proposed exactly this punitive measure. (and the State does not bear the same health cost as the UK for unhealthy life styles).

Clearly education & food labelling isn’t working so, how is the Government going to tackle this problem?