When it comes to overeating, Mauritians take the cake. According to official figures, half of the population is obese. Even those who doubt that statistics never lie merely have to glance around them. This really is the island of ever-expanding girths and bad diets.

Only one thing matches the big waists: the mouths. And it?s not solely for eating purposes. Over the past decade, obesity has rightly been a preoccupation in Mauritius, but there has been a lot of talk, a few intriguing posters and little targeted action.

Around the world, governments have been lethargic to react to the threats of obesity. Until now, that is. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has officially classified obesity as a ?global epidemic?, sending a wake-up call to all, especially the industrialised countries. There are now more than one billion overweight adults in the world. At least 300 million of those are obese. In the United States, an estimated 64.5 percent of the population tip the scales as overweight or obese ? the highest percentage in the world.

Britain has come up with the idea of a ?fat tax? to reduce consumption of junk foods. Under Downing Street proposals, such a tax would hit burgers, pizzas, cheese, crisps and whole milk. The prime minister?s strategy unit has hinted that food of poor nutritional value could be subject to extra duty, or VAT, as a means of ?signalling to society that nutritional content in food is important?.

<B>Flag up junk content</B>

VAT is currently levied at 17.5 per cent on many foods associated with obesity, such as fizzy drinks and ice cream. But burgers bought in supermarkets are exempt, as are foods high in saturated fats such as butter, hard cheeses and full-fat milk. The unit also suggests that warnings be applied to food packaging to flag up its junk content.

The fact that the highest authority in the land is now in charge of tackling obesity should not come as a surprise. It is estimated that half of the UK population is overweight and more than a fifth is obese. This is twice as much as twenty years ago. In the same period, the average waistline of children has expanded by four centimetres according to research published in the British Medical Journal. The rate of obesity among two to four year olds is an alarming nine per cent.

Derek Wanless, a former banker asked by the Treasury to investigate the nation?s health, published his final report last week. Commenting on the ?unhealthy lifestyle? of Britons, he urged the government to transform the National Health Service (NHS) from a national sickness service to a force that focuses on preventing diseases caused by smoking and obesity.

The report stated that obesity and related diseases such as diabetes would cost £3.6 billion by 2010 if they continued at current rates. A failure to exercise among Britons already costs the economy £8.2 billion annually in terms of lost productivity and sick leave.

?There are no government national targets on obesity. Past statements of intent have yet to be acted upon and there is very little evidence on what works,? said Derek Wanless. Same could be said about most other countries.

The ?fat tax? would thus be an innovative concept ? except that, in the land of deep fried Mars bars and meat pies, it has caused quite a stir. Some argue that fatty foods taste good and make you feel good. Funnily enough, they are being backed by the Food and Drink Federation, which claims that the ?fat tax? would be unworkable.

However, according to the Economist?s 2003 Food Survey, 19 American states already levy special taxes on snack foods, sweets and soft drinks. The jury is still out on its efficiency to curb obesity but it has certainly proved possible to implement.

One half of the population that is not obese is now refusing to pay higher taxes because of the future medical requirements of the other. A ?fat tax? would technically be an indirect tax but it will at least hit those who eat junk food directly.

The obese, who suffer a far higher incidence of heart disease, diabetes and cancer, drain the NHS with their lifestyle choice: they occupy the beds and undergo the surgeries that are all too often denied to people whose medical condition is a tragedy they did not court.

The Consumers? Association is turning up the heat on the government this week through a dedicated campaign. It has pledged to name and shame ?unhealthy? food and drinks and to instigate a boycott of such products unless the government and the food industry begin to tackle the obesity crisis.

<B>A traffic-light labelling system</B>

Nick Stace, its campaigns? director, said: ?Obesity and diet-related diseases are seen as Britain?s biggest killers... but the government and the food industry have produced half-baked initiatives and ideas that add up to nothing.?

It demands a ban on the advertising of junk food during children?s TV. It wants the food industry to adopt a traffic-light labelling system to ensure that shoppers choose a balance of red, amber and green coded items. Retailers warned against ?demonisation? of certain brands, saying there was no such thing as good or bad foods - only good and bad diets.

Meanwhile, supermarkets have agreed to lower salt content in a range of own-brand soups, pizzas, bread and ready meals. The reductions in salt from products could be as much as a quarter but the targets may take from 12 months to five years to achieve. They are actively widening their range of healthier foods (less fat, less sugar and less salt) in a bid to be seen in a better light. Their shelves tell another story.

At first sight, the ?fat tax? looks unworkable in Mauritius. How would the authorities tax the ?halim? sellers whose chunks of lamb fat are gulped daily by thousands? After all, they don?t even pay VAT although most do charge for it. And any government knows that food prices are too sensitive to be toyed with, even if it is for the nation?s own good.

The medical bills inevitably match the obesity rates, so the time for education might soon be over. It will then be time for the nanny-state to rap the knuckles of those who cannot control their appetites for the wrong food. It has to start somewhere and soon?

By Ryan Coopamah

Outlook Correspondent in London [email protected]