Agenda item

The Board considered a report of the Interim Director of Public Health County Durham which provided an update from the Healthy Weight Alliance, highlighting the strategic approach to obesity as a result of County Durham becoming a national pilot for obesity, working with Leeds Beckett University (for copy see file of Minutes).

The Interim Corporate Director Children and Young People’s Services asked how parents were helped to understand what constituted healthy weight in children. The Interim Director of Public Health County Durham explained that a change to the way in which weight was viewed in children from infancy to school age was needed, and the focus was on early years and preventing obesity from the antenatal period.

The Head of Children’s Public Health Nursing County Durham, Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust outlined improvements proposed for engaging with obesity in mothers in pregnancy and parents of schoolchildren.

In response to a question from the Head of Adult Care, Durham County Council about wider partnership involvement, the Board was informed by the Interim Director of Public Health County Durham of the importance of engaging with Partners to tackle the problem. She had addressed the County Durham Environment Partnership and the County Durham Economic Partnership, and had also engaged with Planners and businesses to address issues such as the cumulative impact of takeaways in a local area.

Councillor Smith made the point that physical activity played a big part in weight management and preventing obesity. She felt that Durham County Council had contributed to tackling this issue in schools. It was also important to encourage physical activity in families and was pleased to report the ‘Beat the Street’ project. The Councillor also considered that the control of takeaway premises on high streets would be welcomed.

Councillor Allen asked when the Physical Activity Framework would be reported to the Board and was informed that the Framework was currently being reformatted and would be submitted when this work was completed. However the Board was reassured that work was ongoing whilst the Framework was being finalised.

Following a question from the Strategic Manager, Policy, Planning and Partnerships, Durham County Council, the Board was informed that children who were identified as being underweight were not picked up within the Alliance but were signposted to other services. The Interim Director of Public Health County Durham explained that approximately 2% of the population were classified as underweight.

It was agreed that the Board undertake a development exercise in 2017 in relation to obesity and the work with Leeds Beckett University, and the Strategic Manager, Policy, Planning and Partnerships agreed to liaise with the Interim Director of Public Health County Durham on this.

Resolved:

That

(i)            leadership and support be provided to all partners in the continued delivery of the whole systems approach to obesity by actively participating in the LBU pilot work;

(ii)          a ‘leading by example’ approach be adopted within organisations to improve staff and residents’ health and wellbeing;

(iii)         the public sector in County Durham be developed to make the healthy choice the easy choice within a health promoting environment;

(iv)         building on local best practice be supported and countywide approaches be developed by scaling up what works;

(v)          evidence led brief interventions around obesity in front line or patient contact within primary and secondary care be progressed;

(vi)         a Board development session to take place in 2017 in relation to the obesity/healthy weight agenda.