Local stores get cash to help tackle obesity

Nov 14 2008 by Chris Robinson, The Journal

A £75m plan to tackle Britain’s obesity crisis has been launched in the North East. Corner shops are being encouraged to stock fresh fruit and vegetables to help families eat healthier food.

A mum whose daughter ballooned to nine and a half stones aged just seven last night welcomed the plan.

The Department of Health launched its £75m Change4Life in Newcastle yesterday before introducing it across the country over the next three years.

And the first stage of the plan saw £200,000 ploughed into corner shops in the North East to stock fresh produce and promote healthy eating.

Clare Henderson’s daughter Cassandra is now losing weight since the family introduced a healthier lifestyle, ditching their diet of regular takeaways.

Health bosses last night revealed that nine convenience stores were piloting the project across the North East, with the figure expected to reach 120 by the beginning of next year.

At the launch yesterday, families were invited to attend a day of workshops looking at ways in which they can get active through swimming, dance and cycling.

They hope the introduction of fresh fruit and vegetables closer to home will encourage families to get back to the kitchen.

Regional director of public health Professor Stephen Singleton welcomed the launch, calling it a “central” part of the region’s 25-year public health strategy. He said: “We and our partners cannot turn the tide of obesity on our own and that’s where the Change4Life coalition comes into its own.

“We will embrace this social movement fully in the North East to help us change the way people think about food and physical activity, something that is central to our 25-year regional strategy launched earlier this year.”

Figures reveal that in the North East, 37% of boys and 28% of girls aged 2 to 15 are obese or overweight.

At present, obesity costs the NHS more than £4bn and experts predict that figure will rise to £50bn by 2050.

Gateshead East and Washington West MP Sharon Hodgson, a member of the Children, Schools and Families Select Committee, said if rising obesity levels were not tackled now it would only get worse.

She said: “This is going to change society. The only thing I can liken it to is when we all stated talking about climate change and recycling.

“It’s so important to eat well, move and live longer. The reason why I’m so proud it’s being launched in the North East is that it’s improving people’s lives and health for the future.

“To be able to go into your local shop and pick up at any time fresh fruit and vegetables will make such a difference to people’s lives.”