Experts urge government to introduce fizzy drinks tax

The Academy of Medical Royal Colleges also recommended a limit on the number of fast food outlets near schools and giving parents advice on how to feed their children properly.

The group, which represents nearly every one of Britain's 220,000 doctors, is pressing ministers, councils, the NHS and food organisations for action on what they claim is "the greatest public health crisis affecting the UK."

The academy criticised present and previous governments for ineffective attempts to tackle obesity that affects one in four adults - a figure expected to double by 2050.

Doctors fear the obesity crisis is becoming "unresolvable" and are calling for society "as a whole" to act before it becomes irreversible.

The report also drew parallels with the campaign against smoking.

"Just as the challenges of persuading society that the deeply embedded habit of smoking was against its better interests, changing how we eat is now a matter of necessity."

Following a year-long inquiry the academy has devised a list of 10 recommendations to end Britain being "the fat man of Europe."

The Department of Health said there is no single answer to the obesity problem and it is up to everyone - government, industry, health professionals, voluntary groups and individuals - to promote healthy eating and lifestyles.

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Recommendations

• A tax of 20 per cent on sugary drinks for at least a year
• A ban on advertising of foods high in saturated fat, sugar and salt before 9pm
• Give councils the power to limit the number of fast food outlets near schools and leisure centres
• NHS staff to talk to overweight patients at every appointment about their eating and exercise habits
• Advice for new parents on how to feed their children properly
• All schools to serve healthy food in their kitchens
• A ban on junk food and vending machines in hospitals
• Hospitals to apply the same nutritional standards for patients as those in state schools in England
• £300m to be spent over the next three years on weight management programmes
• More surgery for the severely obese to help those at risk of dying
• Food labels to include calorie information for children