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Nearly one in three adults in the UK is obese, and governments have introduced a growing range of policies aimed at improving our diets. From taxes on sugary drinks to restrictions on junk food advertising, the government is increasingly trying to influence what we eat. But are these policies actually working?
In this episode, Helen Miller is joined by Henry Dimbleby, author of the National Food Strategy, and IFS researcher Gautam Vyas to examine the economics of healthy eating.
They discuss why governments intervene in our diets, whether the UK's sugar tax has been successful, and the unintended consequences of restricting unhealthy food. They also explore whether weight-loss drugs could fundamentally change how we think about obesity, nutrition and the government's role in shaping our diets.
Host
Helen Miller
Helen joined the IFS in 2007. She has almost two decades of experience analysing UK fiscal policy and providing trusted advice to policymakers.
Participants
Gautam Vyas
Gautam joined the IFS in 2023 and works in the IOD sector. His work focuses on the consumption behaviour of individuals in the UK.
Henry Dimbleby
Co-founder and Managing Partner of Bramble Partners. Co-founder of Leon, the Sustainable Restaurant Association, Chefs in Schools and London Union. Author of two independent reviews for government, the National Food Strategy and the School Food Plan.
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