Dr tracey owen

Weigh to Men’s Health

Putting Policy into Practice

in Northern Ireland

Dr Tracy Owen

Consultant in Public Health Medicine

8 June 2011

Content

Policy context in NI

Role of the Public Health Agency

Challenges

Size of the problem

NI Health and Social Wellbeing Survey (2006)

- 35% of adults overweight

- 24% obese

= 3 in every 5 adults in NI carry excess weight

Childhood obesity – year 1

2008-09

Overweight 17.2%

Obese 5.3%

Overweight or obese 22.5%

Source: Child Health System

Childhood obesity – year 8/9

2008-09

Overweight 20.2%

Obese 7.1%

Overweight or obese 27.3%

Source: BMI measurements at year 8/9

Policy

• Fit Futures – 2006, childhood obesity

• A Fitter Future for All –Obesity Prevention

Framework for Northern Ireland 2011-2021,

(consultation document)

Strategies and frameworks

• Cardiovascular Services Framework

• Strategy for Sports Physical Recreation in NI,

2008-13

• Regional Transport Strategy 2002-12

Evidence

• Foresight report

• White House report on childhood obesity

• NICE guidance

Priorities/Targets

• Reduce the proportion of children who are

obese

• Halt the rise in obesity

Role of the PHA

• Improve health and wellbeing, reduce inequalities

• Regional approach

• Coordinating role - internal

• Bringing elements together – nutrition, physical activity,

breast feeding

• Engaging with others

• Implementation of regional framework

Approach

1. Give children a healthy start in life

2. Increase info and skills on nutrition and physical activity

3. Community access to healthy affordable food

4. Provide healthy choices outside the home

5. Provide opportunities to be physically active

6. Support people to manage their weight

7. Provide training for professionals

8. Coordinate activity , monitor impact, share learning

9. Assist in development of Government policies and legislation to

provide context for change

Current work

• Annual action plan

• Strengthen existing work and build on this

• Evidence base

• Roll out good practice

• Regional focus/identity

• Campaigns – public awareness

Examples

• Community allotments

• Community based nutrition education

programmes

• Walking initiatives

• Exercise referral schemes

Challenges

•Long term approach

•Whole lifespan approach

•Understanding behaviour

change

•Innovation

•Coordinated approach

across agencies

Thank You