Councils set to 'trailblaze' projects to tackle child obesity
Gabriella Jozwiak
Wednesday, September 26, 2018
Funding of £1.5m will be provided to five councils to pioneer innovative local efforts to tackle childhood obesity, it has been announced.
Public health minister Steve Brine, speaking at a Local Government Association (LGA) conference on obesity, said a Department of Health trailblazer scheme, delivered in partnership with the LGA, would see authorities bid for funding to help the government reach its target of halving childhood obesity by 2030.
NHS data suggests nearly a quarter of children in England are obese or overweight by the time they start primary school aged five - rising to one third by the time they leave aged 11.
Under the scheme, up to 12 local authorities will be selected to develop plans to reduce obesity rates in their area.
After spring 2019, five of the group will be selected to receive £100,000 a year to act as trailblazer local authorities for three years.
Areas that show successful results will feed their strategies back to government to be included in national anti-childhood obesity policies.
Public health minister Steve Brine said the scheme was particularly looking for ideas to tackle the issue in deprived areas, where children are more than twice as likely to be an unhealthy weight.
"We know that when it comes to improving the health of local communities, local leaders are the real experts," he said.
"Our Ttailblazer programme presents a real opportunity to bring your ideas to life with the help of dedicated support and guidance.
"Brilliant, innovative projects are already taking place across the country, but now is the time to share your views on what the barriers are and how we can go forward to tackle this issue together."
LGA community wellbeing board chairman Ian Hudspeth encouraged local authorities to apply for the funding.
"Unless we tackle the obesity challenge, today's obese children will become tomorrow's obese adults, whose years of healthy life will be shortened by a whole host of health problems including diabetes, cancer and heart disease," he said.
"This trailblazer programme is a great opportunity for councils to maximise their pioneering work to tackle obesity and health inequalities"
Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health president Russell Viner said the issue of high streets being "awash with fast food outlets and advertising for unhealthy food and drinks" needs to be addressed.
"We want to see local authorities use planning powers to create healthier environments for children, particularly around schools and playgrounds where they spend much of their time," he said.
"We look forward to seeing the results of this trailblazer programme and hope that it will trigger real system change for local authorities across England."
The trailblazer scheme forms part of a wider government strategy to tackle obesity, which among other things, aims to reduce sugar and calorie intake among children, and review guidelines around food advertising and promotions.
In August the government announced plans to ban the sale of energy drinks to children, amid growing concerns that these contribute to childhood obesity.
