Obesity a 'problem of modern lifestyle'

Main Category: Obesity / Weight Loss / Fitness
Article Date: 29 Oct 2004 - 0:00 PDT


The growing obesity crisis is a "problem of modern lifestyle" but food such as crisps can play a part in a healthy diet, the chief executive of PepsiCo UK and Ireland has said.

Speaking following the launch of an offer by Walkers crisps to exchange tokens for pedometers, Martin Glenn, whose company includes Walkers, said that a healthy diet was about balancing different types of foods.

"We think obesity is a problem of modern lifestyle. Nobody is to blame but everyone is responsible and we think it is in everyone's interest to play a leading role," he told the Today programme.

"The Get Britain Walking campaign and the giving away of free walkometers are a way of getting people to think about their lifestyle. If you wear one it does change your life. You do think much more about active exercises."

However, schemes such as these have come under heavy criticism. Cadbury's recently came under fire for an offer in which children could collect chocolate bar wrappers and exchange them for sports equipment for their school.

In order to earn a £5 netball, primary school children had to spend nearly £40 on chocolate and consume more than 20,000 calories.

http://www.hda-online.org.uk

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