Call for cut-price fruit and veg
Over 80% of people say the government should subsidise the cost of fruit and vegetables to encourage healthy eating, a BBC survey has shown.
ICM conducted a phone poll of 1,010 adults across England, Wales and Scotland.
Experts said the cost of fruit and veg did deter people from eating healthily.
The Healthy Britain poll also found a minority of people, 17%, felt the NHS should not provide treatment for obesity-related diseases.
Eighty-one per cent of those surveyed said the government should spend more on campaigns and support services to promote diet and exercise.
Many people backed measures which could cut childhood obesity.
Three quarters said junk food ads should not be shown between children's TV programmes and 60% supported a ban on supermarkets displaying sweets by check outs.
Vending machines ban
The poll showed schools are also expected to act. Eighty-nine per cent said there should be a legal obligation on them to ensure children ate healthily while they were at school.
The same percentage said the amount of exercise children were required to do under the National Curriculum should be increased.
Eighty per cent said the government should prevent schools from raising extra funds from vending machines which sell junk food and fizzy drinks.
A majority also supported the extension of the free fruit and vegetables scheme to all children. The scheme is currently available in some primary schools.
A third of those questioned felt parents who consistently failed to provide their children with a healthy diet should ultimately face prosecution.
When it came to adult health, 91% agreed the government should encourage people to walk and cycle by providing safer pavements and more cycle lanes.
Just over a third backed a tax on foods that are high in salt, sugar and fat. AND MEAT, WHAT ABOUT MEAT? (ok, so this wasn't in the article).
However, while 57% of those polled said it was right that the government should try to change people's behaviour in relation to what they eat, 65% think what people eat is up to them.
Paul Streets, Chief Executive, Health Development Agency said: "The findings of this poll are a clear signal that a stronger partnership for health between the government and the public is needed to reduce ill-health.
"Barriers such as the high cost of fresh fruit and vegetables and limited free access to sports facilities are preventing many people from leading a healthy lifestyle."
He added: "'We support the proposed restrictions on advertising to young children, but a coherent approach is needed that includes promotions in schools, sponsorship schemes and magazines."
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