Funding for Change4Life campaign to be cut

Alan Gurbutt - 8 July 2010

I would like to thank the previous government for providing the Change4Life campaign. It has made a remarkable difference to my daughter's life. She recently took part in a 12-week free sports referral programme called FAB Kids (Fit Active Bodies) provided by East Lindsey District Council, Lincolnshire. Whilst on the programme, participating in regular exercise and eating more healthily has reduced her weight. As a result, she has developed a positive self-image and greater self-confidence, making a real difference to her school grades and to her circle of friends. She is now halfway through a new 12-week programme called Fit Kids, another ELDC initiative, which is apparently under threat due to government plans to withdraw funding from Change4Life.

Before planning funding cuts to Change4Life I would urge the government to examine the correlations between obesity and bullying in schools, and also, the popular misconception in the media that obesity is some kind of moral failing. Self-righteous attitudes do little to support children, young people and families, in fact, stereotypical images portrayed on TV of fit families 'Loving It' at their local burger emporium send out conflicting messages to kids – "it's okay to eat junk food as long as you don't get fat!" A one-size-fits-all message about obesity is very damaging. We need to destigmatize obesity and allow it to be seen as a medical condition rather than a moral failing: not only have changes in diet and physical exercise driven an increase in childhood obesity but so have the hereditary influences on weight (the Genetics of Obesity Study (GOOS) 1997 onwards).

"We have to make Change4life less of a government campaign and more a social movement," said Lansley. "Less paid for by government, more backed by business. Less about costly advertising, more about supporting family and individual responses."

I accept that cuts need to be made and that business, particularly the food industry, should share a collective responsibility in promoting healthy lifestyles. As a parent, I would like to see the removal of junk food vending machines from leisure centres and healthier options for lunch outside the school gates. I also believe that the government should steer future 'business ventures', making sure they are sending out the right message with no strings attached.