Chief Medical Officer of UK calls on government to take drastic measures to eliminate childhood obesity

Chicken nuggets, ice cream and Frosties could be taxed as part of draconian plans to combat juvenile obesity.

Dame Sally Davies, Chief Physician, may recommend a tax to convince parents to buy healthier foods.

State Secretary for Health, Matt Hanbad, asked him to conduct an urgent study on how the UK can halve the rate of obesity in children by 2030 .

Such a tax would help parents "buy" healthier foods, she said, because they were cheaper and better for them.

Dame Sally told BBC News: "If you offer a healthy product on the shelves of supermarkets, it will be cheap.

"If it's unhealthy, there's a levy that's tantamount to a tax, so parents are then encouraged to buy the healthy version because it's cheaper and they can afford it." to see in good health. "

Breakfast cereals, chicken nuggets and ice cream – considered ultra-processed foods – could be targeted, she said.

One in five children leaving primary school is obese. Ministers have been criticized for their inability to resolve the crisis.

Last summer, they announced a new strategy on obesity among children, calling for mandatory labeling of calories on menus and the ban on junk food at a reduced price.

Manufacturers have been set targets for reducing sugar and servings. But the measures are voluntary and do not involve any sanction.

Activists want mandatory goals from the food industry to reduce calories and portions.

There is also concern about the growing number of fast food restaurants, often located near schools.