Boris Johnson ditches 'libertarian' stance on obesity as he warns UK is 'significantly fatter' than other European nations

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Boris Johnson today admitted he has ditched his “libertarian” stance on obesity after his near death experience with coronavirus.

The Prime Minister said politicians cannot treat obesity as “irrelevant” and said he had lost weight during his battle in intensive care.

It was in stark contrast to previous comments of Mr Johnson, who was a fierce critic of measures such as the sugar levy and during last year’s Tory leadership contest announced a moratorium on “sin taxes”.

Mr Johnson revealed his change of heart after spending several nights in intensive care at St Thomas’s hospital battling with Covid-19 in April.

Research has shown that being obese doubles the risk of needing hospital treatment for coronavirus. Mr Johnson is understood to be convinced that the reason he ended up in intensive care was because of his weight, which was reportedly 17.5 stone.

He told Times Radio: “I did lose some weight, it’s perfectly true as you do in ICU.”

Asked if he now wanted to crack down on obesity he replied: “Well it’s absolutely true, you will find amongst the great anthology of embarrassing former articles that people always drag up…you will find I have taken a very libertarian stance on obesity.

“But actually when you look at the numbers, when you look at the pressure on the NHS, compare, I’m afraid, this wonderful country of ours to other European countries, we are significantly fatter than most others – apart from the Maltese for some reason. It is an issue.”

He said the issue was a “tough” one but added: “I think it’s something we all need to address.”

He added: “We will be happier and fitter and more resistant to diseases like Covid if we can tackle obesity.

“What I’m saying about obesity is I care – I think it matters. I don’t think politicians can treat it as irrelevant. It does matter, it is hugely costly for the NHS.”

It comes after reports that Mr Johnson is set to outline plans next month to increase the country’s fitness levels.

The Department for Health is said to have presented a series of proposals to No 10 including better access to exercise schemes, healthy eating and bariatric surgery.

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