Halton to tackle child obesity (From Warrington Guardian)

Halton to tackle child obesity

A DRIVE to tackle child obesity in the north west by encouraging youngsters to eat more healthily has been announced by the Government.

Figures show around one in seven 15 year olds and one in 12 six year olds are now obese.

Halton Primary Care Trust has already started to tackle the problem through a five-a-day healthy eating initiative that encourages people to eat more fruit and vegetables to reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes and cancer.

Chief dietician at the NHS community food worker project, Sarah Collins, said: "We expect the figures for Halton to be quite a lot higher than the national average but we are working to get everyone involved in these initiatives because that is the approach we have found to work."

The healthier cookery clubs pilot will involve 42 schools in the north west, including seven in Cheshire, to teach children how to cook healthy and enjoyable meals.

Public health minister Melanie Johnson, said: "It is vital we tackle this problem before it is too late. The drive is fantastic news for schools."

It is part of the governments £2.2m Food in Schools programme that aims to raise awareness of food and health issues in local communities.

The British Dental Health Foundation hopes the Government drive will help tackle other health problems in children such as oral hygiene.

Chief Executive, Dr Nigel Carter, said: "We are delighted that the Government is looking at ways of encouraging healthy eating in schools."