Citation
(2002), "Action Underway on Obesity Health Minister responds to report", Nutrition & Food Science, Vol. 32 No. 5. https://doi.org/10.1108/nfs.2002.01732eab.017
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2002, MCB UP Limited
Action Underway on Obesity Health Minister responds to report
Action Underway on Obesity – Health Minister responds to report
Public Health Minister Yvette Cooper welcomed the report published by the Public Accounts Committee. Ms Cooper said: "There are clear links between obesity and our biggest killers, heart disease and cancer. The NHS Plan, the Cancer Plan and the National Service Framework for Coronary Heart Disease include action to address obesity, diet and nutrition and physical activity. Work on guidance on prevention and management of obesity at local level is already underway. The Government welcomes this report and will consider its recommendations carefully."
The NHS provides information and advice about the health risks linked to obesity and provides services to prevent and manage this condition. Current work in this area includes:
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The Health Development Agency has been reviewing interventions available to prevent obesity. Their report, to be published early this year, will provide the evidence base on what works.
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National Quality Assurance Framework on Exercise Referral Schemes, published in April 2001. This framework will help raise standards of existing schemes and develop new ones, giving GPs and their patients more reliable and widespread access to these innovative schemes.
Preventing an increase in obesity in future generations requires action in childhood.
Steps already in place include:
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The National School Fruit Scheme will provide every child aged 4 to 6 with a free piece of fruit each school day by 2004. Evaluation of the first pilots have returned very positive results.
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Nutritional standards for the school meals and two programmes which address diet and physical activity in schools – the Healthy Schools Programme and Food in Schools Programme.
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Work with the Department for Education and Skills to deliver the Prime Minister's pledge to entitle all children to at least two hours of high quality physical education and school sports per week.
More information can be obtained from The Department of Health, Richmond House, 79 Whitehall, London SW1A 2NS. Tel: (Department of Health) 020 7210 3000.