The Westminster Diocesan Chaplain for Sport has called on the Government to team up with the FA to tackle childhood obesity and tooth decay.
Mgr Vladimir Felzmann said football stars could help drive home the right messages on these key issues if “they make clear statements to children that obesity and rotten teeth are not cool – and can be avoided. The culture of gluttony might be defeated by a culture of self-esteem; a healthier and happier country would be the result.”
The chaplain’s call comes as health leaders, academics and chefs have signed an open letter calling on football associations to end their links with junk food brands.
Some 58 leaders from councils, health organisations, academia and the food industry have signed the letter on behalf of charities Healthy Stadia and Sustain’s Sugar Smart campaign asking football associations to ‘take action’ to protect children from exposure to food and drink high in fat, sugar and salt (HFSS).
The letter highlights concerns regarding childhood obesity being at an all time high and the way in which companies that are known for producing HFSS products link themselves to sports bodies in an attempt to associate their products with a healthy and active lifestyle.
This weekend and week’s World Cup fixtures:
Saturday 16th June
Group C
France v Australia – 11:00am
Peru v Denmark – 5:00pm
Group D
Argentina v Iceland – 2:00pm
Croatia v Nigeria – 8:00pm
Sunday 17th June
Group E
Costa Rica v Serbia – 1:00pm
Brazil v Switzerland – 7:00pm
Group F
Germany v Mexico – 4:00pm
Monday 18th June
Group F
Sweden v South Korea – 1:00pm
Group G
Belgium v Panama – 4:00pm
Tunisia v England – 7:00pm
Tuesday 19th June
Group A
Russia v Egypt – 7:00pm
Group H
Colombia v Japan – 1:00pm
Poland v Senegal – 4:00pm
Wednesday 20th June
Group A
Uruguay v Saudi Arabia – 4:00pm
Group B
Portugal v Morocco – 1:00pm
Iran v Spain – 7:00pm
Thursday 21st June
Group C
Denmark v Australia – 1:00pm
France v Peru – 4:00pm
Group D
Argentina v Croatia – 7:00pm
Friday 22nd June
Group D
Nigeria v Iceland – 4:00pm
Group E
Brazil v Costa Rica – 1:00pm
Serbia v Switzerland – 7:00pm
Picture: Football fans walk past a burger stand. (John Walton/EMPICS Sport).
