The rows over the rights and wrongs of government policy on the fight against obesity are neither here nor there.

There are plenty of policies in place which, if correctly implemented and supported, would surpass targets for improving the health of the nation. The government undoubtedly has the health interests of the nation at heart. The problem is that the joined-up politics promised to us by this administration have never materialised.

Without a structured approach and a unified message, the country can never significantly alter its dietary course and the population will never become the super fit, lean electorate that the Prime Minister and his cabinet desires.

Banning advertising of fatty foods, lowering salt content, facilitating increased exercise and eating 5-a-day are the tip of the iceberg. But in isolation none of them can possibly have maximum impact.

In the last year, I must have seen or heard of more than 100 healthy-eating schemes alone aimed at grass roots consumers. A handful have nation-wide significance. All of them are well-targeted and well-meaning. Most of them have limited potential for success as they depend on the long-term funding from local authorities or in some cases private enterprise.

The government, pushed by the Food Standards Association and largely backed by the country's retailers, appears to be taking the issue seriously. But the wheels of politics turn evermore slowly and sound-bite policies dominate.

Largely due to an unhealthy diet, the life expectancy of Britons is predicted to soon take its first backward step in 140 years. Adequately tackling that requires more than sound-bite government.