Jim Shannon

Jim Shannon

Democratic Unionist Party — Strangford

Speaking in the House of Commons on 12 November 2026

Debate

Tackling Obesity

Contribution

Many moons ago, in 2009, long before I had the pleasure of meeting you, Madam Deputy Speaker, or anybody in this Chamber, I used to be 17 stone. I was a big fat pudding—I am calling myself that. I was eating Chinese food five nights a week with two bottles of Coca-Cola. It was the wrong recipe, with lots of stress. When I became a type 2 diabetic, I realised I had to lose weight. I lost 4 stone, and I have kept it off. I tell that story because sometimes we do not know things are happening until the doctor tells us. I think of the children in school. I am very fortunate to have six grandchildren. The wee ones especially—the six-year-old and the four-year-old—eat their fruit and veg every day, all day, which is really good. My question is, does the hon. Lady agree that if we want to change habits, we must engage and educate our young people about eating fruit and veg, and if they cannot have it at home, they need to have it at school, starting at primary level?

More from Jim Shannon

Other recent Hansard contributions by the same speaker.

About Hansard

Hansard is the official verbatim record of proceedings in the UK Parliament. Every word spoken in the Commons and Lords is recorded and published — this page is a single contribution from that record.

For Jim Shannon's full parliamentary record including voting history, expenses and all other contributions, see the Jim Shannon report card.