Member News
Health secretary Alan Johnson has set out the government's plans to tackle rising levels of obesity, emphasising the importance of keeping fit and eating healthy.
The Change4Life coalition is described by the Department of Health as a "lifestyle revolution" and bring together more than 12,400 grass roots organisations.
Johnson said that healthy food would be reduced in price by supermarkets, and describing the move as "unprecedented" he stated that "anyone who promises to help families to be healthier can join".
"Obesity is the biggest public health challenge the country faces," he said. "If we don't take action now we will condemn our children to reduced life expectancy.
"That's why we are aiming to create a lifestyle revolution that will help families to eat well, move more and live longer. We can't start a revolution on our own - we need everyone from grassroots community clubs to multinational companies to join us."
The health secretary added: "Finger wagging and lecturing won't work, that's why Change4Life is designed to be supportive and helpful."
Organisations involved in the coalition include Asda, Tesco, PepsiCo, ITV and Cancer Research, while the government is in discussions with other companies at present such as BSkyB and Kraft.
Dods Parliamentary Communications Ltd