Agenda item

The Committee received an update from Dr Reddy, Public Health Programme Manager, on the recommendations made by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee’s following the Childhood Obesity review carried out in July – December 2013. During the review, the stigma attached to childhood obesity and parental obesity, which was a factor contributing to individuals not seeking help, was highlighted.

Specific areas were examined in order that the maximum impact on the levels of childhood obesity could be addressed and included:

·  Family eating practices and the nutritive quality of the food being consumed (cooked meals v takeaways)

·  Physical activity levels

·  Parental obesity (obese parents are 40% more likely to have obese children)

·  The involvement of all key partners in making every single contact count.

Dr Reddy reported that although the rise in the levels of obesity could not be stopped, significant progress had been made in terms of improving the offer on physical activity, healthy eating and nutritious school meals. It was noted that although challenges remained in the delivery of some of the recommendations, progress had been made in a number of areas, including:

a)  The monitoring and governance arrangements had been streamlined under the Children and Young People’s Partnership Board (CYPPB), which was chaired by the Public Health Consultant.

b)  The physical activity outcomes had been incorporated onto the Physical Activity and Leisure Strategy and delivered through the key partners in the Physical Activity Steering Board through a mutually agreed action plan.

c)  The Health Visitor workforce had been increased prior to the service being commissioned by public health from October 2015. This universal service promoted breastfeeding, healthy weaning and healthy eating for children aged 0-5 years which should contribute in tackling childhood obesity in early year’s settings. The Healthy Snack Awards for Children’s Centres had also been extended to other early year settings via training for childminders.

d)  Chances4Change Programme – Big Lottery funded group of work streams led by public health, aimed at improving physical health, healthy eating and mental health of residents. The Public Health Team had organised a number of Walk and Talk Initiatives with mothers and toddlers in the Children’s centres and libraries, engaging them in healthy eating and dance sessions.

Although a detailed update was outstanding from the Clinical Commissioning Group regarding the need for closer liaison between various organisations and the introduction of a system of regular health checks for children up to the age of 16 across all surgeries; since the scrutiny recommendations there had been a better understanding of the role of partnership working, better ways of communicating the issue, recognising the sensitivity surrounding the issue of childhood obesity and also identifying it as a local key priority through the CYPPB.

In the ensuing discussion a number of points were raised regarding the impact, if any, universal free school meals for reception, year 1 and year 2 pupils had had and strategies that had been engaged to encourage healthy eating. It was noted that there had been an increase from 32% to 49% of pupils accessing free school meals. The Committee were informed that the impact of this was difficult to assess as information was gathered at the end of year 6, with the possibility of pupils reverting back to unhealthy eating habits from year 3 to year 6. A Member suggested that a review be carried out at the end of year 2 and whilst it was acknowledged that this would provide a more accurate assessment of the impact of free school meals there would be significant cost implications of doing so.

Members were informed that two core healthy eating programmes were offered in local schools and that all schools engaged in the Slough Schools Sports Network (SSSN). The SSSN had identified schools that wished to establish a school based family physical activity programme. It was noted that the number of children participating in physical activity had risen.  A Member queried whether schools that were academies were participating in any of these programmes and was informed that the Local Authority was not responsible for Academies. 

A number of other local initiatives were outlined to increase health eating and physical activity by residents, including New Early Years Initiative, FAST – Families and Schools Together. This programme focused on improving educational achievement using a collaborative and family approach. FAST was developed to equip parents with the confidence and skills needed to support their child’s education and offered weekly sessions delivered through local schools. 

A Member commented on the increase in the number of obesity cases in Slough and requested that the matter be investigated further, exploring the factors contributing to the increase in numbers and what work was being implemented by partner agencies to address the issue. Dr Reddy informed Members that although no work was planned in relation to this area of work, the matter would be raised with the appropriate agencies.

Resolved – That details of the report be noted and a progress report be submitted to the Committee in six months time.