Norfolk charity says health campaigns must take care not to trigger people with eating disorders

A Norfolk charity is calling on the Government to work with experts to ensure future health policy doesn't negatively affect those with eating disorders.

It comes after Obesity Health Alliance has written to MPs of all parties, urging them to better tackle 'high levels of excess weight in the UK'.

"There should be an emphasis on healthy behavioural changes"

Martha Williams works for the eating disorder charity, BEAT, and says we can't afford to repeat past mistakes:

"We were really disappointed that the Government decided to put calories on menus, despite hearing concerns from BEAT and others experts that this would cause anxiety and distress to those recovering.

"Public health campaigns need to consider people's mental health as well as their physical health and take a more holistic view. Instead of encouraging an approach to eating which is about calorie counting and restriction, there should be an emphasis on healthy behavioural changes that instil confidence into people.

"We have found in the past that anti-obesity measures that stigmatise weight-gain can be a trigger for the on set of an eating disorder and it can cause distress for those already struggling with these illness.

"The Government must work with eating disorder experts and campaigners to ensure that they are not negatively impacted by health policies. Having a more informed approach and speaking to people this is going to impact, and being open to hearing this impact and then taking that on board with policy-making, would be ideal."

What has the Government said?

The Government's strategy for tackling obesity says it plans on:

• Introducing a new campaign – a call to action for everyone who is overweight to take steps to move towards a healthier weight, with evidence-based tools and apps with advice on how to lose weight and keep it off

• Working to expand weight management services available through the NHS, so more people get the support they need to lose weight

-Publishing a 4-nation public consultation to gather views and evidence on our current ‘traffic light’ label to help people make healthy food choices

-Introducing legislation to require large out-of-home food businesses, including restaurants, cafes and takeaways with more than 250 employees, to add calorie labels to the food they sell

• Consulting on our intention to make companies provide calorie labelling on alcohol

• Legislating to end the promotion of foods high in fat, sugar or salt (HFSS) by restricting volume promotions such as buy one get one free, and the placement of these foods in prominent locations intended to encourage purchasing, both online and in physical stores in England

• Banning the advertising of HFSS products being shown on TV and online before 9pm and holding a short consultation as soon as possible on how we introduce a total HFSS advertising restriction online.

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