Cash-poor consumers are ditching healthy, more expensive foods such as smoothies and organic vegetables for cheaper, less healthy ones such as hamburgers and frozen pizzas, raising fears the fight against obesity has become the latest victim of the economic downturn.

Dr Tim Lobstein, director of the childhood obesity programme at the International Association for the Study of Obesity, claims the food industry is “gearing up for recession” by preparing for higher sales of sweet and fatty foods, and more fast food consumption.