Agenda item

In 2018, the HASC Select Committee undertook an inquiry into Child Obesity to see how well Buckinghamshire was doing to tackle this issue, in line with the Government’s 10 year plan to reduce child obesity.  A small group of HASC Members have reviewed the initial inquiry report and prepared a follow-up report to include additional questions and observations.

This is an opportunity to hear more about the current plans to develop the whole system approach to obesity.

Presenters:

Cllr Carl Jackson, Deputy Cabinet Member for Public Health

Ms Sarah Preston, Head of Public Health Strategy

Ms Sally Hone, Public Health Principal

Papers:

·       Whole System Approach to Obesity Briefing Paper;

·       Report from HASC Working Group – review of the Child Obesity Inquiry, 2018.

The Chairman welcomed Cllr C Jackson, Deputy Cabinet Member for Public Health, Ms S Hone, Public Health Principal and Ms L Smith, Public Health Principal.

During the presentation and the discussions, the following main points were made and questions asked.

·       The aim of developing a whole system approach to obesity was to ensure clearer accountability with a clear set of actions.

·       The first stakeholder workshop had taken place with a second workshop planned for 10^th November.  The draft plan would be ready towards the end of the year/beginning of 2022.

·       In response to a question about whether all providers were committed to tackling obesity, the Deputy Cabinet Member explained that there was good representation from across the whole system at the first workshop (around 50 attendees).

·       The whole system plan would cut across a number of different areas, including planning and leisure.

·       Members acknowledged that there were consequences of obesity, including diabetes and heart disease.

·       Local plans would be influenced by Government guidance and timelines which were due to be published soon.

·       It was acknowledged that the whole system approach would be ever evolving and constantly under review.

·       A Member commented that a recent report showed that around 40% of people gained over half a stone during the Covid lockdown.

·       High levels of obesity could be linked to areas of deprivation.  Community Boards would be issued with updated public health profiles to highlight the areas of obesity by Board area.

·       A Member asked public health colleagues for their initial thoughts on how the community boards could be involved in this issue.  Ms Hone responded by saying that it was early days and the purpose of the workshops was to explore how different groups could play their part.

·       There was a general comment made that Members need more assistance and guidance in relation to the community board funding applications.  There was also acknowledgement that whilst community boards could identify projects/initiatives, there was difficulty in finding partners to deliver them.

·       A Member expressed concern about the mental health issues and financial worries associated with obesity.  Levels of income needed to be addressed as a part of the whole system plan.

·       A Member asked about the robustness of the data used to report both adult and child obesity rates.  Ms Hone explained that the National Child Measuring Programme provides the child dataset as school children were measured in Reception and Year 6.  Only 10% of children in these cohorts were measured last year due to the pandemic so 2019 was the last full set of data.  The Active Lives survey was the main source of the adult data.

·       A Member asked whether there were plans to gather more quantitative and qualitative data.  Ms Hone explained that a few focus groups had taken place and more community engagement was planned.

·       PSHE was a mandatory requirement and Public Health colleagues work with schools to support them to put various initiatives in place.

·       A Member stressed the importance of listening to the needs of children and targeting key messages towards them.

·       A Member expressed concern about bullying associated with child obesity and how it adversely affects their mental health.  Inclusivity and sensitivity need to be at the core of the whole system plan.

·       Using plain language and simple messages for children should be a key element of the plan.

The Chairman thanked the presenters and concluded by saying that the Committee would be looking for evidence that the HASC’s work in reviewing child obesity had been used to shape and inform this important area of work.