The strategy will focus on five areas: healthy children; promoting healthier food choices; building physical activity into daily life; creating incentives for better health; and personalised information and care for people who are already overweight or obese.

Health secretary Alan Johnson said: 'The strategy is the first stage of the government's response to the Foresight report and will be followed by an annual report that will assess progress, look at the latest evidence and trends and make recommendations for further action.'

Elsewhere, GPs in Wales will soon be able to refer patients at risk of chronic illnesses to a structured exercise programme.

Over the next three years, the Welsh Assembly Government will invest more than £11.5 million in the pilot scheme.

sanjay.tanday@haymarket.com

Live link at: www.dh.gov.uk/en/index.htm