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April 2015
The UK’s No 1 fitness industry magazine
Bodypower Expo set to be biggest and best
Nutritionist calls for junk food at till points ban By Christina Eccles THE government should make the deliberate placing of unhealthy foods at retailers’ till points illegal, according to a nutritionist, who claims having crisps, sweets and chocolate displayed in such prominent positions is undermining the public’s efforts to be healthier. Mel Wakeman, a senior lecturer in nutrition and applied physiology at Birmingham City University, has sent letters to stores including Marks and Spencer, Asda, Sainsbury’s Local and WHSmith, urging them to follow the example of Aldi, which banned all confectionery from their checkouts in January, following a trial of displaying healthier options of fresh fruit and nuts. She explained: “If the government has banned cigarettes from being on display, it’s about time the same principle was applied to unhealthy snacks which we can see are having a direct impact on our NHS services. “As a nation we should be reducing much of the added sugar in our diet but we need help to do this. Being constantly tempted to pick up junk food at the checkout is undermining our efforts to be healthier. “The UK is in a captive junk food market and stores need to have more social-
ly responsible marketing policies that don’t encourage unhealthy impulse buys.” Mel has received responses from Marks and Spencer, Asda and WHSmith, but is yet to receive a reply from Sainsburys. She added: “WHSmith said they train their staff to never offer promotions repeatedly to regular customers or to anyone who has made it known they do not wish to be advised about such promotions. Can someone tell me how a WHSmith cashier would keep track of if a customer is regular and if they have previously requested to not be told about unhealthy till point promotions? “We need the government to better protect the future of the British public and for the facts about obesity to be realised. “Children and teenagers are now consuming around 40 per cent more added sugar than the daily recommended allowance and we’re now seeing diabetes, high blood pressure and signs of heart disease in young children.” What do you think? And what role does the fitness industry have to play when it comes to educating members about nutrition and healthy eating? Contact us via Facebook or Twitter or email your views to ce@scriptmedia.co.uk
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Over 80 health, fitness and nutrition exhibitors will be showcasing their businesses at the upcoming Be:Fit London show. The show takes place from May 1-3 at the Business Design Centre in Islington and will also include the chance for visitors to take part in the latest fitness classes from the likes of Barry’s Bootcamp and BOOMCycle. There will also be inspirational talks from leading experts including Olympic athletes Becky Adlington and Denise Lewis and live demonstrations in The Total Greek Yogurt Kitchen with celebrity chef Sophie Michell.
THE countdown has begun to the 2015 BodyPower Expo, with a record number of fitness enthusiasts already purchasing advance show tickets. With the audience set to break the 70,000 barrier and the show occupying new, bigger halls in the NEC this year, 2015 is being billed as the biggest and best event to date. CEO and founder Nick Orton said: “My business talks are called “Think Big” and that’s exactly what we had to do when I started BodyPower with my team. We’re now the fifth largest consumer event in the UK, and I believe that we continue to improve the show year on year. “We go to great lengths to ensure our visitors come away from the show inspired, and I think the show creates a really unique atmosphere that is driven by the enthusiasm of our visitors, the quality of our exhibitors and by the countless stars that come to the show.” Current Mr Olympia Phil Heath, Mr Olympia 212 Flex Lewis, Commonwealth gold medallist Zoe Smith and worldfamous wrestler Hulk Hogan are among those set to attend. Look out for our full preview coming up next issue.