Tackling obesity on the agenda

Steps are being taken to help improve the lives of East Riding residents by focusing on tackling obesity at the upcoming Health and Wellbeing Board meeting at Alderson House, Hull Royal Infirmary, Hull, on Thursday, 1 November at 2pm.

East Riding of Yorkshire Council supports residents to live healthy lifestyles through the delivery of services and policies to promote healthy weight. It influences commissioning decisions in order to improve health and wellbeing and reduce inequalities in the East Riding.

Overweight and obesity is a global problem and in 2016, the World Health Organisation estimated that more than 1.9 billion adults (18 years and older) were overweight. Of these, over 650 million were obese.

Without action, the associated costs – individual, social and economic, including social care – will continue to rise as will the disproportionate burden on children and their families from deprived areas.

The Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2016-2019 has adopted the ‘Life Course Approach’ and within this are four stages of life, each step looking specifically at the key health and wellbeing issues for that stage.

The agenda on Thursday will cover the progression of the second stage of the Life Course – Developing Well – which focuses on childhood through to adolescence.

The Health and Wellbeing Board is also focusing on managing the demand into services across the health and care system which continues to be the most significant challenge faced by partners in the East Riding. The Improved Better Care Fund Programme and the East Riding Place Partnership will also be discussed at the meeting, which will take place at Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust.

Additionally, the agenda concentrates on the opportunities that exist to strengthen the approach to supporting family and friends and what particular actions can be undertaken by certain organisations.

Councillor Jonathan Owen, chair of the Health and Wellbeing Board, said: “The work to improve the lives of those who are trying to lose weight, or who need support and guidance on healthy living, is a key priority to ensure the health and wellbeing of East Riding residents and connecting individuals with appropriate services and community assets is of great importance to us.

“The Board is an important tool in driving forward change in relation to the health and social care needs of East Riding residents and is the perfect platform from which to continue the good work that is already being done locally to address these key priorities.”

For a full agenda visit www.eastriding.gov.uk