UK GOVERNMENT TO LAUNCH SURVEILLANCE APP TO FIGHT OBESITY

Mon 26 July 2021:

Obesity is a major issue in the United Kingdom that the local government has been addressing for some time. The government has come up with a new proposal – a surveillance app after encouraging people to exercise and displaying the calorie count of meals on restaurant menus.

The British government backed program, according to The Telegraph, will be centered on motivating residents who adopt a less fattening diet and walk more, amid rising obesity concerns in the country. The special mobile application is expected to be unveiled in the next six months as it is still in the works with several companies for signing up to participate.

The report has also suggested that the app might be introduced nationwide during the end of the year to coordinate the efforts with trend of ‘new year resolutions’. The UK residents who opt for fruits and vegetables in the supermarket will be given “free treats” along with the ones who increase their daily exercises such as walking and running among other activities.

The points that would be awarded in the app would reportedly be exchanged for event tickets, discounts, and other such perks and bonuses.

The app would cost the UK govt $8.25 mn

The project will cost the Boris Johnson-led government £6 million, or $8.25 million, according to the newspaper.

Sir Keith Mills, the man behind the popular Air Miles and Nectar customer reward programs, is claimed to have been engaged in the implementation.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson is believed to have given a nod to the “radical” new scheme because he is more than eager to manage the obesity levels in Britain. The UK reportedly has one of the worst records in Western Europe in regards to the health of the citizens as the majority of British nationals are overweight.

In Britain, as per resorts, more than a million people have been hospitalised last year due to obesity-related illnesses. The Telegraph quoted an unnamed Whitehall source saying that there is a whole team in Downing Street working on this, and the Prime Minister thinks that the government simply cannot go on as before and that they must now tackle it head-on. The official further reportedly said that UK PM takes the matter of obesity personally and is presently on a “very rigorous diet” himself.

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