THE suggestion by Sally Davies that banning eating on public transport would have some measurable effect on childhood obesity is an insult to the intelligence of the public.

The implication that children consume a significant proportion of their daily intake of fattening foods whilst

on the bus would be risible were the matter not so serious.

If adults choose to consume huge quantities of fattening foods thereby limiting their choices of partner, employment and sporting activity it is difficult to see what can be done to prevent this.

However, the incidence of childhood obesity is a very much more serious matter which can and should be addressed.

A seriously overweight child is prima facia evidence of child neglect by the parents and should be treated as such. Feckless parents, who are clearly neglecting their child's welfare need to be offered training on health and nutrition, which it would be reasonable to expect them to pay for, followed by period of monitoring of their child's health.

If, at the end of this period there is no improvement in the child's well-being then the possibility of taking the child into care should be  seriously considered.

This may appear to be a somewhat Draconian  approach, but the authorities really need to decide whether they wish to seriously address the problem or simply make pointless palliative gestures which are unlikely to have any discernible result.

Mike Howard, Greentree's Crescent, Sompting