To consider what Herefordshire Public Services are doing to improve people’s diet and take up of exercise.

The Committee considered what Herefordshire Public Services are doing to improve people’s diet and take up of exercise.

The Director of Public Health presented the report.  He highlighted the close link between diet and health problems.  Improving people’s diet was therefore of fundamental importance in reducing the rates of many of the major causes of ill health and premature death in the County.  He noted that the obesity prevalence rate measured by GP practices varied considerably.

The Council, Health bodies and the voluntary sector needed to work together to address the various factors influencing diet and were doing so.  He advocated the need for a more courageous approach to tackle the issues, working with commercial partners and families. 

He emphasised the support Councillors could provide in shaping opinion within the community, by advocating appropriate policies, particularly in schools, supporting local projects and lobbying for change.

In discussion the following principal points were made:

·         The need for Council and Health Services to work together was emphasised.

·         It was suggested that a more vigorous approach to interventions could be considered in order to change behaviour.  Messages on the threat to health posed by obesity should seek to jolt people into action to make them take notice. The speed kills campaign was suggested as a good example to build on.  Consideration could, for example, be given to beginning each school day with 15 minutes exercise; and, whilst acknowledging parental choice, making all pupils using school transport walk the last mile to school.

·         With regard to school travel plans, which aimed to increase the number of children walking and/or cycling to school, it was asked whether the difference the plans made would be monitored.  The Director of Public Health replied that over 97% of schools had signed up to a commitment to try to reduce the number of cars travelling to schools.

·         The role that could be played by supermarkets and fast food outlets and the Council, NHS Herefordshire and Herford Hospitals NHS Trust in providing healthier food and making it easier to choose the healthier option was discussed. The Director of Public Health said that changes to the operating practices of supermarkets would require the support of Councillors and other community leaders.  Many firms did accept that they had a wider social responsibility and the key was to find a way to create momentum in favour of adopting healthier lifestyles.

·         That it was important that the message on the need for a healthy lifestyle reached those in retirement or semi-retirement.

·         That consideration needed to be giving to removing unnecessary restrictions that could inhibit volunteers wishing to help support leisure activities.

·         On the question of evidence about what actions work, the Director of Public Health confirmed that many studies supported the case that improving diet and take up of exercise would have considerable benefits and that there were interventions which would work locally. These interventions had been detailed in the Health Improvement Plan for the County, together with the particular benefits that would result from those actions.  The issue was not whether to act but how to act.  Consideration was being given to what actions to prioritise within the resources available.  A suggestion was made that the Council and NHS Herefordshire should initially prioritise resources on areas within their direct control.

RESOLVED:  That action being taken to improve people’s diet and take up of exercise be supported and proactively and vigorously pursued with all Councillors being encouraged to champion this work in schools and in the Community.