Getting people to eat less and do more exercise is one of the government’s major objectives, according to health bosses.
The island’s director of public health Dr Henrietta Ewart addresses childhood overweight and obesity in her annual report ’Childhood Healthy Weight - the road to a better future’, which was published this week.
She describes the issue as one of our greatest public challenges, confirming that local figures - which show a quarter of children on island are overweight or obese at age five - are similar to those in England.
The report suggests a transformation of the food ’environment’ is needed to ensure healthy food and drink choices are readily available island-wide.
It outlines opportunities for government to work with local retailers and food outlets to encourage healthier options, especially near schools.
Evidence shows that physical activity one of the best things an individual can do to improve their health, whether overweight or not.
The ’active travel strategy’ is a government initiative aimed at increasing the number of people who walk, jog or cycle for short everyday journeys.
Tynwald has committed £3.8 million to the initiative over four years and an action plan which will set out clear, achievable goals is currently being drawn up.
Adopting healthy lifestyle choices is promoted as the first strategic goal of the Department of Health and Social Care’s five-year strategy, which encourages people to take greater responsibility for their own health.
Elsewhere, an upgrade of the NSC leisure pool is intended to entice more people to swim, while an overhaul of the Peel to Douglas Heritage Trail is designed to attract more young people to cycle, walk and ride along the old railway line.
Dr Ewart concludes partnership working between government, the private and third sectors, communities, families and individuals is the key to tackling obesity.
At a strategic level, creating opportunities for people to exercise and eat healthily can be factored in at an early stage, and an example of this would be using the planning system to limit the number of fast food eateries near schools, and ensuring walking or cycling to school are made easy choices for pupils.
Other ideas for action include a suggestion that children should be routinely measured in their last year at primary school as well as in their reception year, so that weight trends can be tracked. Family-centred weight management programmes for those who need more support could be offered to help children and pick up healthy habits for life.