Two NHS Grampian programmes aim to tackle childhood obesity
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Projects that work with children and families to prevent childhood obesity and reduce health inequalities are benefitting from more than half a million pounds of investment including two run by NHS Grampian.
In total 10 projects across Scotland will share £538,141 allocated to initiatives with NHS Grampian's training and support for a group of multi-agency professionals across Aberdeenshire to deliver the HENRY approachreceiving £15,000 and Upskilling relevant teaching staff to deliver the Grow Well Choices Early Years programme also receiving £15,000.
The HENRY - Healthy Families Right from the Start programme helps parents and carers with children up to five years old to provide a healthier, happier start in life.
Internationally adopted, the evidence-based package provides support with family emotional wellbeing and information about nutrition, physical activity and oral health.
The funding is part of the Scottish Government’s commitment to ensure all children have the best start in life and the projects support the ambition to halve childhood obesity in Scotland by 2030.
Speaking on World Obesity Day (Monday), Public Health Minister Jenni Minto said: “Preventing the causes of ill health is an important part of our efforts to make the health service sustainable in the years to come. That includes addressing obesity, particularly as we know good nutrition and physical activity is crucial for children’s health and development.
“We want Scotland to be the best place in the world for a child to grow up, and these early years projects are crucial to our bold ambition of halving childhood obesity by 2030.
“These ambitious and effective projects will also help tackle inequalities by working with families and communities to encourage healthy eating and offering support for those experiencing food insecurity.”
Significant lifestyle changes made and sustained by families who joined a HENRY programme (Willis et al, 2014 and 2016) include-
Increased fruit and vegetables consumption.
Decreased consumption of energy-dense food.
Decreased frequency of TV meals and increased frequency of family meal times.
Increased family physical activity levels.
Increased emotional wellbeing (including increased happiness and decreased stress).
Increased parenting self-efficacy.
Aberdeenshire East MSP Gillian Martin said that the new funding for projects will make a tangible difference to the lives of children in the north-east.
Commenting the MSP said: “Childhood obesity has huge, life-long implications for those suffering from it and for our NHS, however the rising cost of living has exacerbated food insecurity for many families in Aberdeenshire.
“That is why the preventative work and support offered by NHS Grampian is so important; ensuring that children in the north-east have the best start in life and taking use one step closer to achieving the Scottish Government’s ambitious goal of halving childhood obesity by 2030.
“By reducing inequalities and enabling families to make better food choices we can make a real difference to the next generation and embed health habits that will last a lifetime.”
