The condition can lead to serious liver problems including the swelling and tenderness caused by hepatitis, and the life-threatening scarring of cirrhosis. Dr Lobstein, former director of the Food Commission, said: 'Our kids have been swamped with adverts for junk food. A pizza used to be a treat when I was a child; it is now pretty common.
'The amount of fat and sugar in foods has increased in the last 20 years, we neglected school meals until the last five years, soft drink sales have never been higher, confectionary sales have rocketed. 'TV-watching is big and if you add computer games, videos and other sedentary media, exercise levels have fallen.
'Cycling as a rule is hazardous in the UK, particularly for kids. I used to cycle to school but hardly anybody does now. If we are to spend a lot of money investing in the future, then the future is our kids. There would be no better way of investing than in bike lanes and safe play areas. 'I would suggest a fiscal policy. I'm in favour of a "fat tax".
'VAT can be altered so that it focuses on the fatty, sugary foods and encourages more fruit and vegetable consumption. 'The wave of obesity is moving forwards and it will be tragic if it is not tackled.' The Department of Health said it had no plans to introduce a 'fat tax' but was working with the food and drink industry to reduce saturated fat and sugar levels, as well as portion sizes, and encourage healthy alternatives.
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