Childhood obesity plan to target leisure centre food

Leisure centres are to be encouraged to offer healthier food and drink choices in a new initiative set out in the government’s childhood obesity plan.

The health body for physical activity, UKactive, has been tasked by the Department of Health to explore ways of providing and promoting healthy food and drink, while restricting the sale of unhealthy options.

Government buying standards

UKactive plans to work with food vendors, local authority leisure operators and the Local Government Association to implement the Government Buying Standards for Food and Catering Services (GBSF).

Mandatory GBSF requirements include ensuring a reduction in foods and drinks high in fat, sugar and salt, while promoting greater consumption of fruit, vegetables, fibre and oily fish.