Policy responses and statements
Background: The Minister for Health, Social Services and Public Safety, Paul Goggins MP, has launched a consultation on the draft Implementation plan to tackle childhood obesity. The Implementation Plan contains a programme for action to reduce the increase in levels of obesity in children and young people in Northern Ireland. This public consultation provides an opportunity to comment on the proposed actions to be taken to tackle the problem. The Fit Futures taskforce was established by the Ministerial Group on Public Health (MGPH) in response to concerns about rising levels of overweight and obesity in children and young people. These concerns developed mainly as a result of evidence coming from other parts of the UK and Ireland. However, on the basis of the research and analysis commissioned by the Fit Futures taskforce and published in its report to MGPH in March 2006, it is now clear for all to see that obesity, poor nutrition and increasingly sedentary lifestyles are very real problems facing the children of Northern Ireland. According to the 2005 Health and Social Well-Being survey, around one in ten of our children are now obese and well over a quarter are either overweight or obese. Analysis of the child health system has also found that levels of obesity are increasing year on year. These findings ahve major public health implications. Obesity significantly increases the risk of developing coronary artery disease, stroke, cancer and type 2 diabetes. In addition, people from disadvantaged backgrounds, who already suffer poorer health, are at increased risk of developing obesity and related chronic health problems. Obesity, poor nutrition and sedentary lifestyles can also have a negative impact on the mental health of our young people and on children's capacity to learn and develop. The Questionnaire highlighted a number of key areas within the Implementation Plan where the Department would particularly appreciate views.
Download this consultation response as a .pdf
Copies of this response are available from: Lesley Lockhart, Tel: 0131 225 7324 ext 608 [16 March 2007]
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