'Independent on Sunday' reports that consumers have responded to the Government's healthy-eating message by stuffing themselves with cake, swilled down with plenty of alcohol. In apparent defiance of warnings about obesity, sales of the sticky confections jumped nearly 5 per cent last year. Shoppers also spent more on chocolate, biscuits, fats and yoghurts. The annual survey of top brands, in The Grocer magazine, also showed sales of lager and wine had soared.

The increases fly in the face of advice from experts for people to reduce the amount of sugar and fat they eat and curb excessive drinking. The survey covers the 12 months to October 2004.

Fat chance to change with christmas on the horizon!