MP Diane Abbott said in an interview with The Standard, that children must be allowed to play in the street in order to tackle the growing problem of childhood obesity. The Labour MP believes that many children become obese as their parents are afraid to let them play outdoors. She also stated that the present day culture of PlayStation 3 and chips played a huge role in weight gain in children.

According to figures released by the National Health Service, more than a fifth of kids in the Capital are obese when they leave primary school. London has a higher incidence of child obesity than any other area in the UK. Abbott believes that schools should be at the front line of operations, providing healthy school meals, teaching Home Economics and exercise. She said:

It is important that we develop an environment where people can make healthy choices- and that we understand the significance of issues like safe play areas for kids, physical activity and also of the advertising of junk food, sugary soft drinks and alcohol.

Calls were made by the MP for the government to take urgent action, with improved food labelling, preventing adverts for junk food which are aimed at kids and to tackle the psychological factors which may encourage overeating in kids. According to research, children who are brought up in cities and towns are more likely to be obese or overweight, which suggests that a lack of outdoor exercise and playtime could be a huge factor in childhood obesity.