400-600-600 campaign to help adults tackle ‘calorie creep’

Published Thursday, 22nd March 2018

Public Health England is hoping to to help people tackle the ‘calorie creep’ that sees 66.3% of adults in the North East overweight or obese.

The new campaign provides adults with a simple tip to help them make healthier choices while out and about – aim for 400-600-600. That’s around 400 calories for breakfast, 600 for lunch and 600 for dinner, plus a couple of healthier snacks and drinks in-between.

A simple way to make healthier choices

The tip will help adults reduce excess calorie consumption and stay within their recommended daily intake - 2,000 for women and 2,500 for men each day.

This comes as adults are consuming on average 200 to 300 more calories than they need each day. Over time, these extra calories build up and can cause unhealthy weight gain.

Excess calories are contributing to our country’s growing obesity problem, causing a range of health issues including heart disease, Type 2 diabetes and some cancers. As well as setting people up for a lifetime of ill health, treating obesity is costing the NHS around £6bn per year.

Adults consume around a quarter (20-25%) of their calories from eating out, with many unsure how many calories they need each day. The new campaign aims to help people be more aware of the calories they consume on the go and to make healthier choices easier, whether picking up breakfast on the way to work, having lunch at their desks or buying everyday meals.

Calorie creep campaign

For most people, grabbing lunch is the norm – but consuming too many calories is easier than people may think. Something as common as a meal deal of a sandwich, a sugary soft drink and a packet of crisps can contain around 800 calories.

Major retailers – including Greggs, McDonalds, Starbucks and Subway – will provide a range of options to help shoppers find 400 and 600 calorie meals. This will make healthier choices easier for their millions of customers across the UK.

Dr Alison Tedstone, chief nutritionist at PHE, said: “It’s clear that excess calories are driving weight gain for many. Busy lives and too much food mean we’re often eating more food than we realise – especially when we’re grabbing food out and about. This can have a significant impact on our waistlines and our health.

“The 400-600-600 tip can help people make healthier choices when eating and drinking on the go. It’s encouraging to see major high street companies promoting lower calorie options and we hope more will follow suit.”