Fat people to be paid to walk

Pay the obese to take a walk: New £30m health drive sees fat people paid to walk their children to school

By DANIEL MARTIN
Last updated at 11:00 PM on 10th November 2008

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Exercise routine: The daily walk to school may earn points

Overweight parents will be paid to walk their children to school under plans to tackle the obesity epidemic.

Those who attend keep-fit classes, weight-loss clubs or even go for a run in the park would also be eligible for rewards.

They will collect points on supermarket-style loyalty cards which would be redeemed against healthy food, sports equipment or gym sessions. 

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Obesity - the biggest health challenge

"Obesity is the biggest health challenge we face" Photo: PA

The figures emerge as the Government launches its most extensive drive to stem the growing epidemic by encouraging people to eat more healthily and take regular exercise.

Statistics now suggest obesity is increasing to such an extent that within the next 50 years around 90 per cent of adults will be obese.

Around 9,000 people now die prematurely of obesity-related conditions each year and a third of 11- and 12-year-olds are overweight.

Mr Johnson said: "It's the curse of modern life. We eat too much and don't take enough exercise to burn off the calories.

"If this trend continues, by 2050 nine out of 10 adults and two thirds of all children will be overweight or obese.

"Obesity is the biggest health challenge we face."