PHE issues health warning to middle-aged Britons

A Government-backed health drive said to be the biggest since the Change4Life anti-obesity campaign is to warn the middle-aged of the risks of a poor diet, lack of exercise, smoking and drinking alcohol. Professor Dame Sally Davies, England's chief medical officer, said the drive would help people to achieve "simple and small changes" which could help reduce the growing burden of obesity. The £3.5m campaign across the internet, TV, social media and in public places will urge people to take an online test called the How Are You assessment, which determines how healthy they are. However, the move has been criticised by some, who say the expenditure by Public Health England (PHE) is wasteful and the campaign patronising. PHE said evidence shows that living healthily in midlife can double a person's chances of staying well aged 70 and older.