Health Secretary Alan Johnson on 23rd July 2008 called for a national movement to tackle the growing problem of obesity. In a major speech on public health delivered at the Fabian Society, he described it as the 'biggest public health threat' and argued that the Government's strategy to combat obesity will only succeed if every part of our society recognises the problem and joins together to takes steps to address it.

Mr Johnson stated that the current generation of obese children risk losing ten years of their lives and has called on parents to promote healthier lifestyles among their children. However, he argued that 'hectoring' people is not the answer and a more sensitive approach is needed to make people aware that a bad diet and unhealthy lifestyle choices can cause health problems.

He indicated that the Government's approach to the issue would be neither too interventionist or too neglectful, emphasising that he saw the Government's role as bringing together and supporting any local initiatives rather than dictating from the centre.

He stated that 'tackling obesity requires a much broader partnership, not only with families, but with employers, retailers, the leisure industry, the media, local government and the voluntary sector. We need a national movement that will bring about a fundamental change in the way we live our lives.'

The campaign will be called 'Change 4 Life' and a consortium of food, soft drink, fitness and broadcasting companies is to contribute £200 million in cash and donations such as free air time to the campaign that will hit the media early next year.

During questions Mr Johnson played down the idea picked up by the media at the time of the publication of Healthy Weight, Healthy Lives, of incentives as a means of changing people's behaviour, stating that it was not a priority.