Boris Johnson can’t afford an underpowered obesity campaign – we need to make clear that fat kills

Evidence suggests being overweight increases the risk from coronavirus. This is yet another reason to help as many people as we can, writes Janet Street-Porter

The PM says he has managed to lose weight (Getty)

Boris Johnson says he’s lost “a stone and a bit” and has become an evangelist for the benefits of healthy eating and exercise. A brush with death and a period in intensive care recovering from coronavirus obviously changed his mind – but will his words have any impact?

Yesterday I visited Wroxham in the Norfolk Broads, where it was packed with the broad-arsed stuffing their faces while clutching bags of nutritionally dubious fare. Having a good time on holiday in the UK means eating, the more the better. Plus, we’ve just been released from lockdown, so let’s celebrate we’re still alive with a takeaway! Feasting has even been endorsed by our chancellor handing out vouchers for Nandos and the like. Was that clever, given one in three Brits are obese? Or to be blunt, FAT.

On Monday, Johnson will announce his new health strategy – it’s expected to include a ban on junk food adverts on TV and online before 9pm, as well as plans to stop supermarkets placing sugary and fatty foods near checkouts. Foods high in fat, salt and sugar could also be taxed – at the moment the tax only applies to drinks.