Agenda item

To consider an update on action being taken to reduce childhood obesity within the borough.

Linda Edward and Marlene D’Aguilar from the Council’s Public Health Service reported on current action to address childhood obesity.  It was a complex issue and there were clear links to deprivation.  Data from over a 10 year period showed that the percentage of children who were obese had plateaued.   However, there were clear inequalities and children in the east of the borough were three times more likely to be obese than those from elsewhere. 

The approach that was being adopted was based on prevention with a range of services and activities were being provided.  It was recognised that no single service could deal with the issue on their own and a whole systems approach was being followed with the aim of ensuring that health was in all policies.  There were a range of initiatives taking place:

·         Haringey had been the first local authority to ban the advertising of products with high fat, sugar or salt as part of its corporate advertising policy;

·         Cycle training was now offered to children from the age of nine and up to and including adults;

·         There was a commitment to introducing School Streets across the borough.  This had been introduced at Lordship Lane School and was to be extended to other schools in due course.  It involved the reduction of access for cars during school drop off and pick up times, with the aim of encouraging walking and cycling;

·         Health Impact Assessments were being considered as part of larger planning and regeneration developments within the borough;

·         Schools and residents could apply for their road to become a Play Street, which closed streets off for a period of time.  In addition, the had been a Weekend of Play, which involved 80 small community events in parks; 

·         A community hackathon took place in August and the views of young people about physical activities were sought as part of this.   They emphasised the importance of activities that involved the whole family.  They also reported that youth violence deterred many young people from participating in activities;

·         During the school summer holidays, a wide range of activities had been offered for children and young people, including ones specifically aimed at girls;

·         131 local businesses had signed up to the healthy catering commitment to reduce fat, salt and sugar in hot food takeaways.  In addition, the new London Plan had allowed a 400 metre barrier to be placed around schools. No further hot food takeaways would be given planning permission within this.  In addition, it would now be compulsory for all existing hot food takeaways within these areas to sign up to the healthy catering commitment; 

·         The clinical obesity pathway had been significantly revised.  In addition, the role of the school health service had also been revised in order to give a stronger role for school nurses;

·         An infant feeding strategy was being developed;

·         There were now a number of water and milk only schools within the borough.  Some schools had also introduced 15 minutes of physical activity every day as part of the active mind initiative; and

·         The Healthy Start initiative, which provided free fresh fruit, vegetables and milk to low income families, had been updated with the aim of increasing uptake.

Public Health would continue to work with stakeholders and partners and aim to align with the Mayor’s ambition to end childhood obesity and, in particular, his ten ambitions for London.

Ms D’Aguilar reported that work was being undertaken with Islington to develop healthy school meal standards for schools.  Haringey had a number of different school meals suppliers.  A “Sugar Smart” event had been arranged in April to which suppliers had been invited.  She agreed to see if it could be determined if there was a correlation between receiving free school meals and obesity.  Panel Members commented that Islington had invested in developing kitchens in schools so that they were able to cook meals on site.  It was also felt that “one-off” events were unlikely to make a long term difference.

Councillor Brabazon, the Cabinet Member for Children and Families, reported that nurseries and primary schools often produced high quality school meals, some using locally sourced and organic ingredients.  It should therefore not be assumed that Haringey was starting from a low level.  She felt that the Public Health approach was valuable.  However, there was much to do and support was needed.  She also highlighted the impact of housing.  In particular, some families in temporary housing had limited access to cooking facilities and therefore had no choice but to eat processed or take away food.  In such circumstances, a high quality school meal was particularly important. 

Ms D’Aguilar stated that the importance of good housing was acknowledged and health and well-being was now being considered in all new housing developments.  The reliance of many families in temporary accommodation on take away food made the provision of healthier hot food take aways even more important.  In answer to a question, Ms Edward commented that many nurseries were involved in the London wide health early years initiative. 

Panel Members commented that very few schools were within 400 metres of shops and would therefore be subject to the previously mentioned restrictions on hot food takeaways.  It was felt that a more ambitious and joined up approach was required.  Great encouragement needed to be given for walking and cycling.  In particular, more cycle lanes needed to be provided so it was safer to cycle. 

Ms D’Aguilar stated that Transport for London was promoting adopted a “healthy streets” approach to making streets more accessible.  Public Health had provided training for a wide range of stakeholders regarding this, including Councillors.  In addition, a walking and cycling strategy was in the process of being developed.

Ms Edward stated that there was regular contact with school governors to update them on progress with the healthy schools agenda.  Consideration was being given to undertaking work with schools regarding their catering contracts, which a number had outsourced.  A report on the progress of this could be made to a future meeting of the Panel.   She reported that a number of schools were participating in the sugar smart initiative and were therefore only providing water and milk.  The Chair raised the issue of advertisements in high streets promoting offers for junk food, which he felt, required attention.

AGREED:

1.    That the Panel be provided with further information by the Public Health Service on whether there is a link between receiving free school meals and obesity; and

2.    That a report be made to a future meeting of the Panel on the outcome of work by the Public Health Service and schools in respect of their catering contracts.