UK Government Response To Report On Tackling Childhood Obesity

Main Category: Pediatrics / Children's Health
Also Included In: Obesity / Weight Loss / Fitness;  Nutrition / Diet
Article Date: 28 Feb 2006 - 14:00 PDT

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Ministers from across government responded today to a report by the National Audit Office, Audit Commission and Healthcare Commission on progress towards meeting the government's public service agreement to halt the year on year increase in obesity in children under 11 by 2010.

Public Health Minister Caroline Flint said:

"Tackling childhood obesity is a government wide priority. We have made huge steps forward already in starting to change attitudes through the 5 A Day campaign, the school fruit scheme and more investment in school food. Our public health agenda is the first concerted attempt to seriously tackle rising levels of obesity. We know that leadership and co-ordination are going to be crucial as is giving people information and support in making a difference to their own lives.

"We recognise we need to do more. We will continue to develop our work across government and the public sector to ensure that we stay on track to meet our target to halt the year on year increase of childhood obesity by 2010."

Jacqui Smith, Minister for Schools, said:

"We are working effectively with Government colleagues, agencies, schools and local authorities to effect no less than a transformation in the health content of school meals and undo decades of neglect.

"We have already made the first payments from the £220 million available to help schools and local education authorities implement local strategies to transform their school lunches. The School Food Trust is now established and will be working intensively with schools and local authorities to support them in implementing the new minimum standards for school meals and increasing demand for healthier food."

Richard Caborn, Minister for Sport, said:

"We know that participating in sport and physical activity is crucial in tackling obesity. From parents, to teachers to Government, we all have a role to play in encouraging young people to get out from behind their computer games, and out playing sport and getting active. Sport and physical activity should be a natural part of every kids daily life. We are making a major contribution towards children's health through our investment of over £1.5 billion in creating a sustainable structure for school sport. We want young people to have every opportunity to play sport both within and outside the curriculum - our long-term ambition is to offer all children at least four hours of sport, two hours of PE within the curriculum and at least 2 to 3 additional hours of sport outside of school by 2010. It's also why we are investing record amounts of money in sporting provision across the country."

The PSA target is jointly owned by the Department of Health, Department of Culture Media & Sport and the Department for Education and Skills.

http://www.dh.gov.uk

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