RETAILERS are not doing enough to tackle obesity, a slimming expert has said.

Craig Jackson, Slimming World consultant for Saltney, is urging people who want to live a healthier life, to be wary of supermarkets promoting unhealthy products.

A new report, Health on the Shelf, by the Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH) and Slimming World, exposes the marketing tactics used to drive sales of unhealthy products and reveals that supermarket layout, pricing strategies and the current shopping environment is fuelling the obesity epidemic.

The research found less than 15 per cent of the public believe supermarkets are doing enough to tackle obesity, and almost half of the public (48 per cent) believe that legislation should be introduced to require supermarkets to proactively encourage healthier choices.

Craig Jackson said: "Being overweight not only impacts on people’s physical health, it can also impact on overall mental and emotional wellbeing and happiness.

"Having been overweight and lost 5st as a member myself, I know how tricky it can be to navigate supermarket shopping in a healthy way – especially when you have a whole family to shop for – with special offers on unhealthy products often everywhere you look."

As part of the research the organisations also surveyed Slimming World members to ask what supermarkets could do to promote healthier lifestyles.

They found a 90 per cent want more offers on healthier products such as fruit and vegetables, 68 per cent want more positive signs promoting healthy foods and recipes, and 66 per cent want fewer promotions on unhealthy products.

Craig added: "With support and guidance to make better food choices, however, members of my Saltney group feel empowered to adapt their shopping routines to ensure they are eating an overall healthy, balanced diet to support their weight loss.

"At Slimming World, we believe people should have the flexibility to enjoy a variety of food and drink choices and we equip our members to intuitively make healthier choices so that they can lose weight and maintain it."

Philip a group member who lives in Ellesmere Port has lost 2st since joining the group in June 2018 and he said Slimming World is a lifestyle change.

He added: "I plan my recipes in advance, so I know exactly what I need for the week and my shopping is actually cheaper now because it’s full of fresh meat, fruit and vegetables. I can still enjoy all my favourite foods like a glass of wine or a bar of chocolate in moderation, and so I get what I actually need rather than filling my basket with junk food just for the sake of it being cheap."

To find out more about the Saltney Slimming World group every Monday at 5pm or 7pm at Saltney Tavern High Street, Craig can be contacted on 07824098747 or visit

www.slimmingworld.co.uk

.