New child healthy weight plan for Leeds launched

A new plan to support Leeds families and their children achieve a healthy weight has been launched today.

The Leeds Child Healthy Weight Plan was launched at a special event at Leeds Civic Hall today, Tuesday 23 May.

As well as launching the new plan the event showcased Leeds successes whilst providing the opportunity for practitioners to shape and be part of the new local programme to promote healthy weight and reduce the current inequalities gap in childhood obesity. The event also provided an update on the Government’s Child Obesity Plan.

The event also set out the main priorities in Leeds and how children and families will be supported to help them achieve a healthy weight and provide an opportunity to share ideas and views about the priorities for Leeds.

The programme included presentations from health and wellbeing specialists from Public Health England as well as child health and nutrition experts. Attendees were also able to take part in interactive sessions to discuss what is working well, what challenges are faced, and spark creative thinking

Corinne Harvey from Public Health England addressed why supporting children to maintain a healthy weight is so important and the Government’s national plan whilst Kim Roberts, Chief Executive at HENRY (Health, Exercise and Nutrition for the Really Young) talked about preventing childhood obesity. Janice Burberry from Leeds City Council presented the new Leeds Child Healthy Weight Plan and discussed the local picture.

Councillor Lisa Mulherin, executive member for children and families said:

“Helping families to recognise the habits and behaviour which lead to children being a healthy weight is really important. This plan sets out how we will work together with our partners across the city to help families, children and young people achieve and maintain a healthy weight – which will have long-term beneficial effects on their future health and wellbeing.”