To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to help tackle childhood obesity in Fylde.
Answered on
18 March 2025
The prevention of ill health is a clear priority for the Government and the cornerstone of this is supporting children to live healthier lives. Officials in the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) Northwest regional team prioritise tackling obesity and support children and young people to lead a healthier lifestyle. The Government has: laid secondary legislation to restrict advertisements of less healthy food and drink to children on TV and online from 1 October 2025; announced changes to the planning framework for fast food outlets near schools; and is committed to banning the sale of high-caffeine energy drinks to children under 16 years old.
Examples of national schemes in Lancashire include: supporting weight management services to help families living with obesity, including the CHANGE weight management service in Fylde; Diabetes and Complications of Excessive Weight Service in NHS England’s Royal Preston Hospital, using a holistic approach to treating conditions related to obesity in children and young people; and 14 schools offering school breakfast clubs, as part of the Department for Education’s early adaptors programme, with the aim of providing healthy, varied and nutritious breakfasts.
In March 2023, Lancashire County Council published a report on creating healthier weight environments in Lancashire and subsequently established Healthy Hearts as one of three priorities to narrow the gap in Healthy Life Expectancy between local areas by 2030. The report is available at the following link:
A two-year programme of work is being established to strengthen existing activities underway across the county and contribute to improving the food environment.