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Working together to tackle childhood obesity

Childhood obesity is a major public health concern being both a national and local priority for Lambeth. NHS Lambeth, London Borough of Lambeth and partners are working together to promote healthy weight and address the growing concerns in childhood obesity.

On the 24th June 2010, approximately 120 people from a range of organisations and different disciplines, including health professionals, family support and outreach workers and teachers, attended the Lambeth Children’s Healthy Weight Conference, hosted by NHS Lambeth. The purpose of the event was to provide anyone working with children 0-11 years old with information, knowledge and understanding of the key issues impacting on childhood obesity. In addition a set of resources, developed by Lambeth and designed to help professionals implement and use the Lambeth Healthy Weight Care Pathway for children 0-11 years old, were also launched at the conference. Attendance at the conference was equivalent to receiving Level 1 Healthy Weight Training

“Childhood Obesity is everyone’s business and addressing it will require the engagement from a range of stakeholders including individuals, local services, voluntary and private organisations”, said event organiser Bimpe Oki, Public Health Consultant for NHS Lambeth

The conference discussed physical activity for the promotion of children’s health and how best to promote healthy eating, diet and nutrition for children. Participants said that they would welcome practical support on cook and eat programmes and access to further training on the issue. There were also workshops which evaluated the new supporting resources available to those working with children such as Body Mass Index (BMI) charts and leaflets

The impact of the conference, including the training and the supporting resources, are being monitored. Mechanisms are also being set up for continuing engagement with conference participants.

For more information please contact Health Improvement Team at NHS Lambeth Public Health Directorate

Permalink: http://www.lambethfirst.org.uk/childhoodobesityconference

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