HEALTHY WEIGHT STRATEGY FOR CORNWALL AND WEIGHT MATTERS - LIFESTAGE RESPONSE
Background
In 2006, Cornwall and Scilly PCT produced an obesity strategy, which described the nature and extent of the problem, and existing and planned work by the NHS and its partners, to address it.
Since 2006 there has been a huge increase in public concern, media coverage, and suggested solutions for tackling obesity and overweight. At the same time, rates of overweight and obesity among children in Cornwall and Scilly have increased', and it is likely, but not known for certain, that adult rates have also risen in line with national increases.
In 2008, we were fortunate to be visited by the National Support Team on childhood obesity, whose report to our Obesity Conference has been extremely helpful in the planning of the work described in this strategy. We set out a structured action plan, using additional investment, and aiming to address four main aspects;
- the ‘obesogenic’ nature of our environment, which affects us all
- the healthy behaviours we all can adopt, at little or no cost
- the additional services needed to help those whose weight threatens their health
- specialist services for those of life-threatening weight
The Foresight Report
The Foresight report stresses in trying to tackle overweight and obesity,it is important to to see that it is modern society as a whole which is ‘obesogenic’.
As the Minister of Health, Dawn Primarolo says in the Preface;
“If we fail to tackle this ‘obesogenic environment’ the consequences for individuals, families, communities and society as a whole are grave.”
http://www.foresight.gov.uk/OurWork/ActiveProjects/Obesity/Obesity.asp
‘Healthy Weight , Healthy Lives a Cross-Government Strategy for England’ states that “halting the Obesity epidemic is about individual behaviour and responsibility………..it is about the responsibility of the private and voluntary sector too”
“The new ambition of the government is to be the first major country to reverse the rising tide of obesity and overweight in the population by ensuring that all individuals are able to maintain a healthy weight. Our initial focus is on children; by2020 we will have reduced the proportion of overweight and obese children to the 2000 levels”
http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publichealth/Healthimprovement/Obesity/DH_082383
‘Healthy Weight Healthy Lives a toolkit for developing local strategies’ is a new document to support the development of a local strategy
http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_088968
‘Cornwall’s Healthy Weight Strategy’ 2008 is in draft format at the moment
‘Weight Matters’ supports the above strategic targets by aiming to provide opportunities for those who are over weight or obese to have access to advise which they can personalise and make appropriate changes to their eating habits and physical activity levels. These lifestyle changes are needed to achieve real sustained weight loss, and will lead to the maintainance of a healthy weight. It is hoped that in turn this could positively influence the ‘obesogenic society’
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