Issue - meetings

The Panel considered the report of the Director, Legal and Governance requesting that the Panel consider the comments made by the invited guests and use the information provided as evidence in the review.

Following discussion with invited representatives the following information was received:

Southampton Strategic Assessment, National Child Measurement Programme – Dan King, Service Lead, Intelligence and Strategic Analysis & Vicky Toomey, Strategic Intelligence Analyst - SCC

• A presentation was delivered by Dan King and Vicky Toomey providing an introduction to the National Child Measurement Programme and an overview of levels of childhood obesity in Southampton.
• Key points raised in the presentation included the following points:

o  The World Health Organization defines childhood obesity as “Abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that presents a risk to health'' and identifies it as “One of the most serious public health challenges of the 21st century."

o  Obesity is a risk factor for poor health and wellbeing.

o  If we consider the number of years lived with disability (YLD) i.e. years of life lived with any short-term or long-term health loss, high body mass index is the top risk factor in Southampton. This illustrates the importance of tackling obesity in the city, both in terms of poor health and the costs to society.

o  Estimate in Southampton - there are between 13,000 and 13,700 overweight/obese children aged 2 to 17 years old, with over half – between 6,700 and 7,900 – estimated to be obese.

o  Children are measured when they start and leave primary school - Year R (4-5 year olds) and Year 6 (10-11 year olds).

o  Prevalence of overweight (including obese) 2018/19: Year R – National average (22.6%); Southampton (22.3%); Year 6 – National average (34.3%); Southampton (36.1%).

o  Prevalence of obesity 2018/19: Year R – National average (9.7%); Southampton (10.1%); Year 6 – National average (20.2%); Southampton (22.9%) – significantly higher than England.

o  Overweight (including obese) - Year R: stable over time but Year 6 statistically significant increase since 2006/07 - Increase from 30.0% (2006/07) to 36.1%(2018/19).

o  Obesity trends mirror this – Year R stable but Year 6 increase from 16.9% (2006/07) to 22.9% (2018/19); significantly higher.  To have the same percentage as 2006/07, Southampton would need to have 153 (152.8) less obese Year 6 pupils.

o  There is a significant difference between prevalence by gender for Year 6 - males higher prevalence.

o  Significant variance across the city.  Obesity prevalence increases as deprivation increases.

o  Do not just focus initiatives on children that are obese / overweight in Year R.  The majority of overweight children in Year 6 had been healthy weight in Year R; over two-thirds (67%) of obese children had not been obese in Year R.

The causes and consequences of childhood obesity – Professor Mark Hanson, British Heart Foundation Professor of Cardiovascular Science within the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Southampton

• A presentation was delivered by Professor Mark Hanson providing an overview of the causes and consequences of childhood obesity.
• Key  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3