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Obesity
Obesity is one of the biggest health challenges we face. The Government is committed to taking action to reverse the rising tide of obesity. Almost 1 in 4 adults in England are currently obese, and if we carry on as we are by 2050, 9 in 10 adults will be overweight or obese. The cost of overweight and obese individuals to the NHS is estimated to be £4.2 billion and is forecasted to more than double by 2050. The cost to the wider economy is £16 billion, and this is predicted to rise to £50 billion per year by 2050 if left unchecked.
In January 2008 the Government published “Healthy Weight, Healthy Lives: A Cross-Government Strategy for England”. £372 million has been made available to implement the strategy, which sets out how the Government will enable everyone in society to maintain a healthy weight.
Healthy Weight, Healthy Lives: A Cross-Government strategy for England
This strategy supports the creation of a healthy society - from early years, to schools and food, from sport and physical activity to planning, transport and the health service.
To support this strategy a number of publications have been produced.
Healthy Weight, Healthy Lives: Independent Expert Advisory Group
The Healthy Weight Healthy Lives Expert Advisory Group was established to provide the Cross Government Obesity Unit with expert advice on the evidence that was emerging from the Foresight Tackling Obesities: Future Choices project and to ensure that Healthy Weight, Healthy Lives: a Cross-Government Strategy for England built on this evidence.
National Child Measurement Programme
The National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP) involves all children in Reception and Year 6 having their height and weight recorded. The exercise will take place in schools every year.
Change4Life
Change4Life is a society-wide movement that aims to prevent people from becoming overweight by encouraging them to eat better and move more. The Change4Life advertising campaign began in January 2009 to raise awareness and increase understanding of the issue of obesity.
The Change4Life website provides help, advice and support, a database of local activities and marketing toolkits for local communities.
Convenience stores Change4Life pilot
In November 2008, the Department of Health and the Association of Convenience Stores launched a Change4Life pilot in the North East to improve the quality and promotion of fresh fruit and vegetables available in convenience stores. They invested in new chillers and storage areas and provided healthy eating advice to customers and staff. The aim is to recruit 120 stores across the North East by May 2009 and roll out nationally from Spring 2009. Anyone interested in participating in the scheme should contact Stephanie Rice, the Project Coordinator, via the email link below.
Healthy Towns
Healthy Weight, Healthy Lives: A cross-government strategy for England included a commitment to invest £30 million between 2008/09 and 2010/11 in a Healthy Community Challenge Fund. The strategy stated that up to £5 million would be given to a small number of interested local areas – badged ‘Healthy Towns’- to build on existing work in their communities and test out their ideas to make activity and healthy food choices easier for people. In November 2008, the nine Healthy Towns were confirmed as: Tewkesbury, Halifax, Thetford, Tower Hamlets, Manchester, Middlesbrough, Dudley, Sheffield and Portsmouth.
Healthy Food Code of Good Practice
The Healthy Food Code of Good Practice, set out in Healthy Weight, Healthy Lives; A Cross-Government Strategy for England, summarises the challenge to all sectors of the food industry to promote healthy eating.
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) and the Department of Health (DH) have jointly written to food industry leaders and other interested parties setting out plans to assist in delivering the Healthy Food Code of Good Practice.
Additional links
Related links
Healthy Weight, Healthy Lives: One Year On
April 2009 - A report reviewing progress on the delivery of the Healthy Weight, Healthy Lives strategy and setting out priorities for the future.
Foresight - Tackling Obesities - Future Choices Project
The Government asked Foresight in 2005 to carry out a review of obesity. Foresight reported its findings ‘Tackling Obesities: Future Choices’ Project in October 2007.
Obesity Care Pathway and Your Weight, Your Health
A comprehensive package of material (May 2006) for health professionals, as well as information to be given to patients, including Obesity Care Pathways for adults and children and a weight loss guide for patients.
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