Prince of Wales blames poor town planning for rise in obesity

Prince Charles has expressed his concern over the increase in obesity in the UK by urging people to walk and cycle more.

The Prince, speaking at the Celebrating Achievement forum at St James’s Palace, blamed the infrastructure of towns and cities for their part in discouraging pedestrians and physical activity on the whole.

He said: “There’s a disturbing link between the built environment, physical inactivity and, most worryingly, childhood obesity.

“It might help if the built environment was more attractive and appealing to the pedestrian.”

The Prince’s comments come just months after he backed demands for healthier, more nutritional, school meals.

The Celebrating Achievement forum was hosted by the Prince’s Foundation for the Built Environment and the King’s Fund.