Crackdown on childhood obesity set to be launched by Southend Council
Latest figures show in 2023/24, 22.7 per cent of four to five-year-olds were overweight or obese as they start school. That rises to 33.8 per cent for ten to 11-year-olds in Year 6, with a higher prevalence in low income families.
A motion was tabled to the council to tackle the problem in March and on Monday the cabinet is expected to launch an investigation into the impact of obesity and inactivity among those living in poverty.
The council will agree a strategy aimed at encouraging greater physical activity, particularly among the disabled and poorer communities. It will work with community organisations and sports providers, including its new leisure contractor, Freedom Leisure.
The latest annual public health report by Krishna Ramkhelawon, Southend's director of public health , which will also be considered by cabinet on Monday, said: 'Post-pandemic, the struggle with addressing childhood obesity has shown no sign of easing. Improving diet and nutrition, increasing physical activity, and taking further steps to reshape some of the unhealthier food environment are all necessities.
'The evidence suggests that behaviour change alone will have very little impact on this growing public health challenge. There is a need for a call to action from policy-makers, both nationally and locally, partners and our school communities to join forces to help deliver more impactful change to improve outcomes.'
It adds: 'Childhood obesity is one of the biggest public health issues facing the UK. Obesity increases the risk of developing a range of health conditions in childhood and later life, including heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, diabetes and some cancers.
'Children who are overweight are much more likely to be obese adults, which may lead to significant health risks. Childhood obesity is a significant health inequality, with higher rates among children of overweight parents, those in living in more disadvantaged communities and some ethnic groups.'
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