By Daniel Clark, Local Democracy Reporter
Latest figures released by Public Health England show 65 per cent of all adults in Nottinghamshire are of ‘excess weight’ with more than one in four obese.
The figures are higher than the national averages, with 61 per cent of adults in England of ‘excess weight’ with 23 per cent obese.
Nottinghamshire County Council’s public health division has commissioned an obesity prevention and weight management service to tackle obesity.
The service includes ‘tier one obesity prevention’, which is targeted public health interventions aimed at prevention and reinforcement of healthy eating and physical activity messages for all ages.
‘Tier one’ healthy lifestyle weight management includes weight management, healthy eating, physical activity and behaviour change delivered in the community to people of all ages.
Takeaway operators will also be encouraged to offer more healthy food and drink to their customers as part of a crackdown on obesity in the county.
A report written by interim director of public health at the council Jonathan Gribbin will be presented to the adult social care and public health committee on Monday (May 14).
It outlines how the council are progressing with their obesity prevention and weight management service.
It says: “An important part of the healthy options takeaway scheme is to increase public awareness which in turn encourages more businesses to participate in the scheme.
“Obesity and overweight remain significant public health issues.
“Securing maximum value for money and health impact from this contract is critical.”
Levels of child obesity in the county are significantly lower than the England average and have not increased over the last decade compared to the country’s increase.
The report says twice as many children in the county are obese when they finish primary school aged 10-11 (17.4 per cent) compared to the start of primary school at age 4-5 8.6 per cent), in line with the national average.
The committee will meet on Monday (May 14) and are recommended to approve publicity of the healthy options takeaway scheme as well as consider any further action required to secure best outcomes and value for money for residents.
