Agenda item

PROPOSAL TO ESTABLISH A NEW OBESITY TASK AND FINISH GROUP

Minutes:

The Chairman informed Board Members that he wished to take forward a proposal to establish a new Obesity Task and Finish Group.

 

It was noted that an obesity group had previously been formed, but had been partially stood down. However it was highlighted that the need was still there, with the issues of obesity in adults linking to premature deaths, cancers, dementia and diabetes. Obesity was also a major risk factor for COVID-19, and aiming to tackle it could help to reduce its severity.

 

It was proposed that a Task and Finish Group be set up to meet virtually every ten days, to discuss what sort of things could be implemented rapidly – such as using social media and communications to get people to improve their diet. The group would aim to gather together ideas for tackling obesity, which could then be launched in the autumn. Board Members were asked to inform the Chairman and clerk if they would like to be involved in the group.

 

The Borough Based Director – SEL CCG agreed that this was an excellent idea, and she would identify a GP to be involved in the group, and take some of this work forward.

 

In response to a question, the LBB Director of Public Health noted that the Adult Obesity Group was still partially functioning, however it had focused on a joint piece of work with South East London colleagues. It was noted that there was also a smaller Childhood Obesity Group.

 

In response to a question, the LBB Director of Public Health said that there was good evidence that if someone was obese during their early life, they tended to become obese adults. However it was noted by a Board Member that this was not irreversible. The LBB Director of Public Health emphasised that this highlighted the importance of tackling childhood obesity. There were also discussions to be had around breastfeeding, maternal obesity and healthy pregnancy.

 

The Vice Chairman stated that he was supportive of the establishment of a Task and Finish Group, and shared the view that the focus should be on engaging with children and their parents. During childhood was when habits were formed, and it was much more difficult to changes these later on in life.

 

A Board Member noted that a number of schools in the Borough grew vegetable on site as part of their healthy eating policies and forest schools. During lockdown, some of these schools had been sharing menus with parents and children, and posting pictures of their cooking. It was suggested that the group could look at some of the school websites to see what was already being achieved. It was highlighted that the wider involvement of schools and Residents Associations would be extremely important.

 

The Chairman suggested that the proposal be worked on further, with the focus being on Adult Obesity in the short term, and brought back to Board Members. At the next meeting of the Health and Wellbeing Board, it could be considered how to further work with the Child Obesity Group, which was already running, and how best to reach out to all stakeholders.

 

RESOLVED that a new Obesity Task and Finish Group be established.