9:33pm Friday 11th May 2007
By Pete Magill
EXTRA sports lessons could be one of the keys to tackling East Lancashire's childhood obesity epidemic.
That is one of the findings of a major new study into the eating habits of youngsters in Burnley, Pendle, Ribble Valley, Rossendale and Hyndburn.
Currently pupils at local primary schools can expect at least two hours of PE classes or sports education as part of the national curriculum, but officials are looking to extend it through PE or after school activities.
The recommendation follows a wide-ranging review of childhood obesity, by Lancashire County Council's health scrutiny committee.
While it is estimated that one in five youngsters can be regarded as clinically obese nationwide, that figure rises to one in three for this area.
County councillors are also strongly supporting a total ban on junk food advertising, on TV and radio, aimed at teenagers and infants.
According to the task group, parents also have a central part to play in driving home the obesity message.
Review chairman Coun Elizabeth Scott said: "Childhood obesity can only be tackled effectively if it is addressed in the situations and settings in which children live, especially nurseries, schools and homes.
"Children imitate and are directly influenced by adults who educate and care for them, so any strategy must consider tackling obesity in the population as a whole."
The councillors have called for Lancashire-wide action, involving County Hall and district councils, and for more lobbying of Whitehall for ring-fenced cash to support healthy eating in schools.
County schools have been told, as part of Government targets, that 85 per cent of establishments must achieve healthy eating status' by 2009.
Schools were also informed, last September, that they must also meet nutritional standards for canteen menus.
Because of the so-called Jamie Oliver effect, following the TV chef's crusade to improve school dinners, vastly-improved meals were offered.
But this also led to price increases, which councillors felt would not encourage the take-up of school meals. Catering staff will be encouraged to introduce taster' portions to promote the meals to youngsters.
It was felt that drinking water, opposed to unhealthy fizzy drinks, should also be made available.
Public health chiefs admit the problem is a headache in East Lancashire and are supporting a number of projects to tackle the worrying trend.
Dr Ellis Friedman, public health director for East Lancashire Primary Care Trust, told the Telegraph earlier this month how a generation of children was more attuned to playing computer games than enjoying healthier outdoor pursuits.
The same review also focused on child dental health in Lancashire.
In the North West a joint meeting of primary care trusts is set to analyse whether flouride should be added to drinking water, one of the benefits of which might be, it is claimed, an improvement in dental health.
© Copyright 2001-2012 Newsquest Media Group
http://www.thisislancashire.co.uk