This country has been ordered to 'go on a diet'

(Representational image)

New Delhi: Health officials in Britain have ordered a cut on the portion sizes of some of the country's most popular foods, telling the public that it's time to 'go on a diet,' as part of a new obesity drive.

Foods like pizzas, ready meals, processed meat, and takeaways are being targeted heavily by Public Health England (PHE), in a bid to cut calorie consumption by 20 percent by 2024.

The food industry is also being urged to use healthier ingredients and encourage the public to opt for lower calorie foods.

The target will apply to 13 different food groups, responsible for a fifth of the calorie intake of children.

"Britain needs to go on a diet. Children and adults routinely eat too many calories, and it's why so many are overweight or obese," the BBC quoted PHE Chief Executive Duncan Selbie as saying.

If action is not taken, PHE said, it would be prepared to ask the government to legislate.

The agency would be strictly monitoring progress by looking at which products people were buying and would be prepared to "name and shame" individual companies not pulling their weight.

It will also launch a campaign encouraging adults to consume 400 calories at breakfast and 600 each at lunch and dinner.

It is recommended that women should eat no more than 2,000 calories a day, while men should limit their intake to 2,500.

For children, it varies depending on age.

(With IANS inputs)