View
1.067
Download
4
Embed Size (px)
DESCRIPTION
Citation preview
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