Prevention Matters

In the U.K., episodes of The Simpsons are to be sponsored by the government to tackle obesity in the run-up to Christmas. Health bosses hope their trailers depicting a plasticine family based on Homer, Bart and Marge will strike a chord with viewers. The characters, designed by Wallace and Gromit creators Aardman Animations, will be seen on the Simpsons couch scoffing junk food before it is replaced by fruit and veg.
The £640,000 campaign runs on Channel 4. Public Health Minister Gillian Merron said: "It is an engaging way to get the message to families about ways of improving their diet."