Councils are taking action to improve children’s health
All children should have the opportunity to be healthy, no matter where they were born or where they grow up.
A key health challenge for our nation is reducing levels of obesity and overweight among children and young people.
Children living with obesity are at greater risk of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and other long-term conditions that last into adulthood.
By the time children enter primary school, almost one in 10 are living with obesity or severe obesity, a figure that rises to almost one in four by the end of primary school.
This issue disproportionately affects children living in the most deprived areas, with the likelihood of living with obesity being roughly double compared with those living in the least deprived areas.
For children in year 6, the prevalence of severe obesity is more than four times higher in the most deprived areas.
This concerning trend has been increasing for more than a decade and shows that the environments where children grow have a profound effect on their health.
If we are going to make progress as a nation on reducing obesity and promoting a healthy weight, the solution lies in developing a whole-system approach and making this a priority, both nationally and locally.
But the success of the drive will rest and fall on what is done at a local level. If we succeed, the benefits will be felt for generations to come.
Local councils are embracing a variety of innovative strategies to promote children’s healthy weight, including what are known as ‘tier two weight management services’.
The LGA has collected some case studies offering valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities associated with promoting children’s healthy weight at the local level (see below).
They demonstrate the power of collaboration, innovation, and whole-system approaches in driving meaningful change.
As councillors, we are inspired by the dedication and creativity displayed by our colleagues across the country, and we hope that their experiences will serve as inspiration for other areas.
We commend the efforts of all those involved in these initiatives and encourage continued collaboration and innovation in the ambition to promote children’s healthy weight.
While progress is being made, it’s evident that a comprehensive, whole-system approach is essential to effectively address childhood obesity and promote healthy weight. By taking decisive steps at the local level, we can pave the way for healthier generations to come.
Integrated whole systems approach
Derby and Derbyshire faced significant challenges because of persistently high obesity rates in children. This was compounded by a lack of comprehensive and coordinated weight management pathways and services, and the complexities of operating across city and county boundaries.
The solution involved formulating a childhood obesity strategy with two main objectives: developing clear pathways and signposting to enable children who are already overweight or obese to access joined-up and long-term support; and developing preventative approaches for current and future generations using a ‘whole systems’ approach that coordinates existing efforts, reveals gaps in provision and supports the efficient use of limited resources.
Key initiatives included expanding children’s weight management services, and improving referral pathways between school nurses, primary care, and secondary care.
By delivering children’s weight management services as an integrated care system, more children and families are now getting the support needed when identified as overweight or living with obesity.
‘Towards a healthy weight: local government action to improve children’s health’, which includes several council case studies, can be read in full on our website.