Obesity

Tackling Childhood Obesity in Kirklees

Concern is growing here in the UK and around the world about rapidly increasing cases of overweight and obesity.

The Chief Medical Officer has called the trend towards obesity a ‘ticking timebomb’ for the NHS and the wider UK economy.

Currently 1/3 of children in the UK are overweight or obese

This figure is predicted to rise to 2/3 by 2050.

National Target - By 2020 the government’s aim is to reduce the proportion of overweight and obese children to year 2000 levels.

Obesity causes 9000 people to die prematurely every year. It costs the NHS £4.2 billion and the economy £16 billion per year.

Change4Life is the government’s direct response to tackle the growing problem, alongside commissioning local and national programmes to work with target populations.

Within Kirklees, overall our data in 2008/09 is below the national average.

These trends are tracked through the National Childhood Measurement Programme (NCMP) carried out in all schools by the school nursing teams.

Current data, taken from the NCMP results 2008/09 indicates that within Kirklees:

1 in 11 reception children are at risk of being obese; 1 in 5 are at risk of being overweight or obese.

1 in 6 Year 6 children are at risk of being obese; 1 in 3 are at risk of being overweight or obese.

What is being done here in Kirklees?

Start is the FREE Weight Management Programme for children and young people aged 5 – 16 in Kirklees.

- Start was formerly known as Young PALS and has been working in Kirklees for over 10 years.

- Young PALS was redeveloped in 2009 and renamed to Start.

Start combines physical activity and healthy eating to enable children to live a healthier lifestyle.

Through Start families can access:

FoodWise – healthy eating programme which works with the families involved on Start.

MEND - A 10 week FREE programme for families combining exercise and nutrition and behavioural techniques to help improve lifestyles

How can children and young people access Start?

Children and young people can contact the team at Kirklees Council directly by phoning 01484 234096 to join the programme.

Alternatively a child may be sign posted or recommended to the programme by a health professional or other professional concerned for the child’s welfare.

Click here for a copy of the Start Recommendation form

Click here for a factsheet with more information about Start, or Contact the Physical Activity Development Team on 01484 234096 or email

physicalactivity.development@kirklees.gov.uk

Alternatively, go and visit the relevant websites by clicking on the following links:

For an overview of all the different programmes on offer from the Physical Activity Development Team, including Fusion, Foodwise and MEND please click here

Testimonials from Young PALS (before the launch of START)

“When I used to not do any exercise, I was really naughty but now I’m really good and my levels at school have all gone up”
Male, aged 10. Young PAL, Dewsbury

“Making friends – it’s the one thing he never had before he came here. He has never had the chance to fit in before”
Parent, Young PALS Hudds

“She wouldn’t speak to people before, but now she does”
Parent, Young PALS Huddersfield

What to do if you have concerns about a child in school:

A recommendation from a school for a pupil to Start may arise through the following circumstances:

Being bullied or developing other social or behavioural issues due to weight – e.g. anger, aggression, depression.
A child finds certain physical activities difficult due to weight or size – for example endurance based exercise or mobility and flexibility tasks.
Frequently skipping PE due to issues around confidence and or changing into PE clothes.
Struggling to do everyday activities e.g.

- sitting comfortably – cross legged

- getting around school – e.g. stairs

- Often complaining of illness/ailments to avoid physical activity or work.

- Poor hygiene due to weight related issues.

- Concerns over pack lunches brought into school, or choices made when selecting school dinners.

- Withdrawn and/or isolated during school playtimes or in class.

If you have any concerns similar to the above, and would like to speak to a member of the START team to discuss a possible referral, please don't hesitate to contact the team, or simply complete the recommendation form which can be accessed here.

Raising awareness - School Assemblies & Workshops

The Start team are also available to deliver workshops and assemblies in schools to raise awareness and educate children about the importance of being physically active and eating a balanced diet.

For more information please contact the team:

Kirklees Physical Activity Development Team on 01484 234096.

Healthy Weight Healthy Lives: Two Years On report.

The report highlights progress made since the Government’s Healthy Weight, Healthy Lives: A Cross-Government Strategy for England was published in 2008.

There are some good case studies which schools might find useful – e.g. a Walk Once a Week (WoW) in primary schools.

link to report