Discussion with Mark Ansell, Acting Director Public Health, London Borough of Havering.
Minutes:
Officers reported that within the London Borough of Havering, one fifth of children at reception were overweight or obese while one third of children of year 6 age were obese. This followed the trend of the national average, and was marginally better than the London average. Historically, rates had been flat, but in recent years rates of obesity had been increasing with greater frequency.
Some ethnic groups were at higher risk (Black African and some Asian groups) and as the borough became more diverse, further action to address obesity may be required.
The short term impacts of obesity to children included being stigmatised and low self-esteem. The long term impacts included a risk of type-2 diabetes and cardiovascular issues, particularly within morbid obesity. Treating obesity was difficult. Havering’s model within the partnership focussed on prevention, within a holistic approach, but there were a variety of factors involved which created an ‘obesogenic’ environment.
Some of the services provided included giving health advice to weaning mothers (including diet, nutrition and cooking information), promoting parks and green spaces healthy walking schemes for over 10 year olds, catering in schools, which met the national standards, and was now available free in infants schools including the restarted healthy schools programme, change for life clubs, leisure centres and smarter travel. Officers felt Havering had set a standard which was becoming best practice.
NICE, Public Health priorities and the MEND programme all focussed on healthy weight and obesity, and had been proven to work. MEND focussed on 4-5 year olds, but recruitment to the programme had decreased. It may have become stigmatised, and issues of being labelled as ‘obese’ could create obstacles.
A co-opted member posed the possibility that many families may understand nutrition, but there may be issues with specific children and their relationship with food (including eating disorders). This was within the remit of school nurses, who can provide a great deal of help and support to children and young people who required further information or medical intervention.
For parents who do not know about nutrition, or how to cook there was support available to teenage mums, but as obesity was so complex, this was an issue that ranged across departments, and further discussions needs to be completed to solidify the strategy. The MEND programme targeted most of this already, including building self-esteem, looking at cooking and targeted services as part of it, with a focus on children from 0 – 5 years of age.
Councillor Durant asked the Committee to recommend that Cabinet that Chafford School swimming pool be kept open to the public as it was a resource for health of residents in the south of the borough. Councillor Ford felt this was outside the remit of the meeting but did agree to write to the relevant Cabinet Member and head of service about the issue.
A Member asked if support for black and Asian groups had been focussed on, such as reaching out in alternative languages as these groups may include a number of second language speakers who may not understand the information given. Officers responded that, at the present time, there was not enough information to provide more specific guidance. It was possible to include ethnicity data within the borough performance statistics that were produced.
Members also asked if licensing of the number of fast food outlets could be reconsidered as the sheer quantity of junk food available may be a hindrance to the obesity reduction agenda.