Councillors meet to discuss ways to reduce obesity

Adult obesity in Wellingborough is above the national average, and is the second highest in the county, with 26.3% of people classed as obese. Childhood obesity, measured at Reception age (4-5 year olds) and Year 6 (10-11 year olds) is also higher than average in Wellingborough. Members at a meeting of the council's community committee, which takes place on 11 October, will be asked to endorse a county-wide strategy to tackle the issue.

Obesity is on the rise, and the Office for Science's Foresight report predicts that without action being taken almost nine in ten adults and two thirds of children could be overweight or obese by 2050. The effects of obesity are far reaching - health is obviously compromised as obese people are at higher risk of heart failure, stroke, gallbladder disease, type II diabetes, osteoarthritis and some cancers, and die on average 11 years earlier than someone at a healthy weight. Obesity has also been strongly linked to mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety, as well as a reduction in work productivity. The health and social impacts of obesity are imposing an additional burden on the economy and wider costs to society are estimated to rise to £50 billion by 2050 in England alone.

The Northamptonshire Partnership's Healthy Weight Healthy Lives strategy, which will be discussed at the community committee meeting, focuses mainly on prevention and highlights five key themes to tackle the issue of obesity: ensuring measures are in place to promote healthy growth and weight for children; promoting healthier food choices; building physical activity into everyday lives; creating incentives and encouraging people to take responsibility for their own health; and developing advice and support for adults and children who are already overweight or obese.

The councillors at the committee meeting will hear how work is already being done in Wellingborough, with several initiatives in place that could make a real difference. These include a trial of free swimming for under 8s at Waendel Leisure Centre; MEND (a healthy lifestyle programme for 7-13 year olds); regular health check events targeted at hard-to-reach groups; the 10% challenge (a free healthy eating and lifestyle behaviour change programme for people identified at the health check events as having a BMI over 25); the Heartbeat awards which are given to caterers in recognition of healthy eating options; an activity on referral scheme whereby GPs can refer physically inactive people to a free 12 week tailor-made exercise programme; the Fit as a Fiddle programme for the over 50s; and 'green exercise', such as Hearty Gardeners and Hearty Walkers.