John Reid, the health secretary, will respond today to the outcry about obesity and declining public health by announcing that a white paper in the summer will deal with issues such as advertising bans and tighter food labelling.

The government sees the issues as central to reducing Britain's health inequalities, but fears that stricter regulation will lead to accusations of social engineering or nanny state intrusion.

Making the announcement to NHS chief executives, Mr Reid will stress that the government cannot force people to be healthy. He will insist that most options are on the table, but rule out some, including barring the obese from access to health services.

The white paper will also look at issues raised in Labour's "big conversation", including the possibility of locally imposed bans on smoking in public places. It will also look at the rise in alcoholism.

The consultation, due to last around three months, will involve "ordinary mothers and fathers", and children struggling with unhealthy diets.

Tessa Jowell, the culture secretary, has hinted at bans on junk-food advertising on children's television. But her department believes the problem lies with a decline of physical activity among the young, rather than the food they eat.

Many teachers believe the government target of schools providing two hours' organised physical activity a week is impossible to achieve in the current curriculum.

Sir Liam Donaldson, the chief medical officer, will shortly report that half of boys and two-thirds of girls between seven and 16 fail to do the hour of exercise a day the World Health Organisation says is needed for good health. The Department of Culture is to publish an action plan on sport in schools in April.

Ministers are also under pressure to remove fast food, soft drink and confectionery machines from all schools.