How is our work on childhood obesity informing Government policies?

This has been a busy month for developments in health policies that could have a positive impact on the lives of children across the UK.

Important consultations are in progress focusing on obesity including the House of Commons’ Health Select Committee enquiry; the Government’s Prevention Green Paper; and the National Food Strategy. At the same time we’ve had the Chief Medical Officer’s report and the London Plan Report both shining spotlights on childhood obesity.

We were pleased to contribute to each of these discussions, and excited to share what we’ve learned so far. Using the evidence we gather to inform wider scale action, including through policy, is key to our mission. By being a part of these conversations our insights can help improve the health of people beyond Lambeth and Southwark. We’ve focused our contributions on the key principles used in our approach to tackling childhood obesity.

We believe that by designing universal interventions, which assume participants have little time, money and headspace to spare, they’re likely to work for everyone. Therefore, we focus our resources on developing and scaling these solutions within areas of high obesity and lower average incomes.  

What needs to happen? 

Addressing the link

First, we need to address the incredibly strong link between childhood obesity and low income. We know there is a clear link between an area’s average income and obesity. For instance, five-year-olds from the poorest income groups are twice as likely to be obese compared to their most well-off counterparts. By age 11, they are three times more likely.

An example of our approach in practice is our work with School Food Matters. Where we’re working to create healthier school food environments in areas with high levels of childhood obesity. 

By designing interventions, which assume participants have little time, money and headspace to spare, they’re likely to work for everyone. 

Start where people are

Second, we need to look at the whole-food environment and start where people are, building on existing habits. Children now have easier access to a wider variety of highly palatable, energy dense food than ever before. This food is cheap and widely promoted, both in the media and in stores. Our evidence to date reinforces the need for as broad a focus as possible – beyond chicken shops.

We know that families on low incomes are up against it. So we need to find solutions that build on existing habits and journeys rather than demanding large scale changes to people’s behaviours. We are applying this to our work with The Consumer Good Forum. In a pioneering pilot to drive changes to store layout and promotions at major food retailers, and trialling techniques to move shoppers to healthier baskets.