Ministers have been warned that the government must tackle obesity and unhealthy living if it is to avoid a financial time bomb in the NHS.

In an interim report, Derek Wanless warned that obesity, binge drinking and smoking could put a serious strain on the health service.

Forum Response: National Consumer Council

Sue Dibb, senior policy officer at the NCC said: "Wanless's report highlights the need for radical government action to tackle the obesity timebomb. If we, as a nation, do nothing to encourage healthy living, then many of the children growing up today may not outlive their parents.

"Recent statistics show that 8.5 per cent of six year olds, and 15 per cent of fifteen year olds in England are obese. Obesity carries with it increased risk of heart disease and type II diabetes - which is now beginning to appear in children for the first time. Certain kinds of cancer are also linked to obesity.

"Research suggests that the increase in soft drinks and snacks is a major factor in health deterioration. And let's not forget that exercise and the quality of school meals also play a significant part."

Forum Response: Canderel

A spokeswoman for Canderel told ePolitix.com: "The threat of the rise of obesity can not be ignored, as is demonstrated by this interim report. Tackling obesity is a complex problem, which requires a partnership across government, health professionals, the voluntary and private sectors. Aholistic approach to tackling obesity is required, encompassing diet, physical activity and behaviour.

"Canderel can play its part by offering an alternative to sugar - switching to a low calorie sweetener can have a significant impact on peoples' dailycalorie intake - including children. This is linked to the need to change behaviour and unhealthy eating habits. Our understanding of consumers andwhat they want can contribute in helping to inform strategies around changing behaviour for a healthier lifestyle.

"At the same time, clear labelling and description of sweetener alternatives is necessary in order to help consumers make informed choices, allowing them to control levels of sugar intake in their diets and reducing the risks of obesity."

Forum Response: Consumers Association

A spokesperson for the Consumers' Association said: "The Consumer Association welcomes today's publication of the interim report by Derek Wanless which reiterates the close link between a poor diet and the development of chronic diseases such as cancer and coronary heart disease.

"The report asks how individuals and communities are encouraged to think about the impact of their lifestyles on their future health and the health of their children. CA believes that food labelling and the composition of foods are key areas that need to be addressed. CA's Honest Labelling campaign revealed in November 2003 that children who eat a regular diet of foods specifically marketed with them in mind could face future health problems, such as increasing their risk of becoming overweight as well as developing diseases such as tooth decay, diabetes, heart disease and some cancers.

"We also exposed the number of products with confusing or misleading labels, and called on food manufacturers and retailers not to place children's cartoons and images on foods high sugar, fat or salt. Only when consumers have clear and accurate information about the foods they are buying, will they be able to assess the impact of the food on their overall health."

Forum Response: British Retail Consortium

Richchard Ali, director of Food Policy at the BRC, said: "Food retailers have long been committed to playing their part in providing a balanced and varied diet for their customers and are at the forefront of helpingtheir customers overcome the factors that are perceived to act as barriers to healthy eating.

"The challenge for policy makers is to provide the framework within which consumers can be encouraged and supported to choose healthier diets as part of healthier lifestyles. We are convinced that Government has the major role to play in achieving this cultural shift through developing educational campaigns that encourage consumers to appreciate the components of a healthy diet by providing clear, simple, consistent and scientifically credible messages.

"Clearly government is in a prime position to do this through its everyday interaction with the population; in both the physical context that schools, doctors surgery's, hospitals and libraries offer, but alsothrough the many channels of communication that exist between central and local government and citizens.

"History shows us that government has been successful in designing public health and safety campaigns covering such issues as seat belts and drink-driving.

"While there are some who will inevitably ignore the message, the campaigns were a key factor in achieving a change in societal attitudes.

"By working more closely with food retailers on the key messages contained within the Balance of Good Health, government will be able to maximise the potential for providing consumers with straightforward, meaningful messages.

"We will play our part in delivering this message and by providing a wide range of well-labelled, convenient, attractive and accessible products, which allow our customers to opt for a healthier approach to food and drink."