Wide ranging questions on how to improve food and fitness in the UK were published for consultation today by health minister Melanie Johnson and sports minister Richard Caborn.

Government Response: Department of Health

Health minister Melanie Johnson said: "The government is absolutely committed to making sure that everyone can lead a healthier life; nutrition and health is one aspect of people's lives where simple changes can make a big difference to the risk of chronic conditions such as type II diabetes. But this issue is not just for government - lasting improvements are only achievable if others, including the food industry, consumer groups, health experts and the media work together over the coming years to tackle the issues."

"Individuals also have to take responsibility for their diets or those of people in their charge. The government and others can, and should, support consumers, providing them with easier access to a wider range of healthier foods and, crucially, the information and knowledge needed to make informed choices about their diets."

Government Response: Department for Culture, Media and Sport

Richard Caborn, sports minister, said: "Obesity levels in England have tripled in the past two decades. The reasons for this increase are complex but there's no doubt that a major factor is inactivity in both adults, and, most worryingly , children. Creating a more active nation is a priority for the whole of government, which is why Departments are now working together via the Activity Coordination Team (ACT) with key partners to forge a healthier nation. I am sure that the findings of Choosing a Better Diet and Choosing Activity consultations will inform the Public Health White Paper in the Summer and play a key role in our evolving strategy for a fitter nation."

Party Response: Conservatives

Tim Yeo, shadow health and education secretary, said: "The government's approach to tackling obesity is disastrously muddled.  I am tired of hearing about new consultation papers, proposals like a fat tax and new summits. After seven years in office, they should have the answers – It is not good enough.  Everyone knows that we need a central coherent strategy to link together all the different government department initiatives as well as those from outside politics who have an impact on this problem."

Party Response: Liberal Democrats

Paul Burstow MP, Liberal Democrat health spokesman, said: "The government's approach to tackling the obesity crisis is another review, another report and another talking shop but this is always followed by very little action.

"The government is taking its five-a-day message too seriously. It almost seems like we're getting five announcements a day on various summits on how to tackle obesity.

"The government must stop dithering and delaying and must take action. Informing consumers is a key part of the challenge. Clear front of packet labelling is needed now so people can make educated choices on what to eat."

Forum Response: Consumers' Association

Sue Davies, principal policy adviser for the Consumers' Association, said: "While the 'Choosing Health Choosing a Better Diet?' consultation paper is a useful overview of some of the barriers that make it difficult to choose a healthy diet, there is no plan of action to tackle these problems, no timeline and no indication of who is responsible for taking solutions forward.  The document is little more than empty rhetoric that simply reinforces the original question.

"'Choosing Health? Choosing a Better Diet' fails to give sufficient attention to tackling the misleading way that foods and health messages are promoted, particularly to children.

"It is particularly disappointing that the paper has failed to propose any strategy to drive diet and health solutions to the heart of government. A Nutrition Council is the only way to stop government departments coming up with contradicting solutions to the crisis and to ensure that all relevant stakeholders are involved.

"The White Paper will be a welcome addition to the debate.  However, increasingly it has become a scapegoat for inaction.  There are a number of measures such as a children's watershed for food advertising, clearer labelling and enforced reductions in sugar and fat in foods that need to be taken forward immediately."

Forum Response: National Consumer Council                                               

National Consumer Council chairwoman Deirdre Hutton said: "Everyone knows that we are in the midst of a diet-related ill-health crisis. The obesity time bomb is ticking away – with an additional 800,000 adults becoming obese in the two years since the Curry Commission called for a national strategy to encourage healthy eating.