No known progress against child obesity
It is not known what progress the Government has made against the rise
in childhood obesity according to “Tackling child obesity — first
steps”, a report published last week by the House of Commons Committee
of Public Accounts (PDF 1.6MB).
The report reveals that Government departments cannot properly assess
progress towards slowing the growth in childhood obesity because the
most recent obesity data are from the 2004 Health Survey for England.
In July 2004, the Government set a target of halting the increase in
obesity among under-11-year-olds by 2010.
The report states “with little concrete action yet taken, much
will need to be achieved in the remaining three and a half years if the
target is to be met”.
The report also criticises the delay of a social marketing campaign which
is due to be launched this year and which, it says, is the only initiative
planned that will directly target parents and children. The campaign
should be started as soon as possible and should present simple ways
in which children can make a difference to their lifestyles, the report
recommends.
Apart from this campaign, there is no additional funding or specific
initiatives aimed directly at tackling the problem, the document points
out. However, it says, Government departments are attempting to make
progress through influencing the activities of a range of stakeholders,
including schools, children’s charities, local authorities and
NHS primary care trusts.
|
The
Pharmaceutical Journal
Acrobat
Reader