Agenda item

Report of the Director of Public Health

The Committee received a report outlining the proposed scope of the review of obesity and the process for taking it forward.

It was noted from the report that obesity is one of the most serious public health challenges of the 21^st Century. It was further noted that almost three in four adults in the UK will be overweight or obese by 2035 which over the next twenty years could lead to an additional 4.62 million cases of type 2 diabetes, 1.63 million cases if coronary heart disease and 670,000 cases if cancer.

The effect on public spending was highlighted noting that the cost of obesity on the economy is huge. The Gateshead Vision 2030 6 big ideas were highlighted noting that the plan sets out how Gateshead will be a healthy, inclusive and nurturing place for all. It was further noted that the Gateshead Health and Wellbeing Board have undertaken the task to reduce excess weight in children.

A further summary of the scope of the review was provided which also outlined the following points:

·         By 2050, modelling indicates that 60% of adult men, 50% of adult women could be obese. Current data shows that 69.4% of adults in Gateshead have excess weight. This is significantly worse than the England average of 64.8%. Almost two in every three adults in Gateshead has excess weight and around one in four are obese. The emerging picture for our children in Gateshead is not positive. Reception children in Gateshead have some of the lowest prevalence rates of excess weight (overweight and obese 22%) in the North East, however by the time children reach Year 6, Gateshead has one of the highest rates of excess weight levels in the North East (35.5%).

·         The evidence base suggests that in order to tackle obesity effectively we need an approach that involves the whole system, with action at an individual, environmental and societal level. This approach needs to create a culture where healthy weight is the default for everyone in Gateshead.

·         The scope of the review includes consideration of factors influencing obesity that can be tackled by joint working across working a number of areas including, planning, transport, housing, business, education and health. With local authority responsibilities in health, planning, highways, transport, education, culture, housing, employment, social care and their relationships with businesses they arein a uniquely influential position to bring about transformational change in the way that obesity is tackled.

·         Successfully tackling obesity is a long term, large scale commitment. The current prevalence of obesity in the population has been at least 30 years in the making. This will take time to reverse and it is reported that it will at least 30 years before reductions in the associated diseases are seen. The evidence is very clear that policies aimed solely at individuals will be inadequate and will not be sufficient to reverse this trend. Significant effective action to prevent obesity at a population level is required.

It was outlined that the process and timescale for the review is proposed to take place over an 11-month period from 14 June 2018 to 4 April 2018. The Committee were also advised that it is proposed the first evidence gathering session will provide a detailed overview of the status for Gateshead in terms of excess weight across the life course and the current evidence base regarding a whole systems approach to tackle this complex area.

A concern about the quality and nutritional value of food available from foodbanks was raised – it was noted that foodbanks rely on non-perishable items such as tinned goods to ensure they can be in storage for longer periods of time. It was however noted that there are ‘fair share’ markets in the borough offering fresh produce at a price the customer can afford. Following this it was noted that work is being done by the Gateshead Health & Wellbeing Board to understand the link between poverty and obesity.

A point was raised to consider whether schools are doing enough to provide food education. It was noted that the former Health Schools Award which was a funded programme is no longer financed. Further comment was made that schools have difficulty spending sports premium funding due to rules being so prescriptive.

A point was raised regarding the advertising of fast food takeaways on billboards and television does not help the issue of obesity and that planning rules are not strict enough to prevent café’s operating as a takeaway without appropriate consent.

RESOLVED:

(i)            The Committee noted the scope, process and timescales outlined in the report.