Culture secretary Tessa Jowell has put the UK food industry "on probation" over moves to fight obesity in the UK.

She told BBC Radio 4's Today programme, that banning junk food TV ads was unlikely to reduce the problem, adding, however, that finding the solution to the "crisis of obesity" is in the hands of the industry.

Jowell’s belief is that individuals are responsible for organising their diet and physical activity.

"The reason we have this crisis of obesity is because too many of us are eating too much of the wrong kind of food... and we are not exercising enough," she said.

"The question that follows from that is whose job is it to do something about it.

"I think there is widespread public concern about some of the marketing tactics that are used by the food industry.

"They are on probation and just as they are part of the problem, they too can be part of the solution.

"I have thrown down a challenge to them and said you come forward to us with your proposals as to how you can work with government, with the schools, in order to tackle this - to guide children to healthier eating and more healthy activity."

Despite refusing to countenance a ban on junk food ads, Jowell has asked broadcasting regulator Ofcom to review advertising codes to check if they were strong enough to protect the public and children in particular.

More than 100 British consumer groups have called for a ban on TV ads for junk food after it emerged that one in four men and one in five women are classed as obese in the UK.