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Westminster Forum tackles obesity problem in England

31 Jul 2020
The issue of healthy weight management in England is the focus of a Westminster Health Forum online event on September 9th, when speakers will consider the new obesity strategy, primary care interventions, innovation in support and public engagement, and the role of industry and technology.

Chaired by Baroness Jenkin of Kennington, vice chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Obesity, speakers include Jenny Oldroyd, deputy director of obesity, food and nutrition at the Department of Health and Social Care; Jane Flint, programme lead for national programmes, population health, prevention and maternity at Health Education England; Susannah Howard, programme director at Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care System (ICS); Siobhan Jennings, nutritionist and school food adviser with the Health and Wellbeing Service at Leeds City Council.

Other contributors will be Professor Maggie Rae, president of the Faculty of Public Health; Dr Neel Basudev, Lambeth CCG; Dr Helen Flaherty, Heart Research UK; Zoe Griffiths, WW (formerly Weight Watchers) and Isabelle Kelly, Quorn Foods.

The conference aims to provide an opportunity to discuss the Government’s approach in its new policy drive aimed at countering obesity, what it means for stakeholders, and the potential impact on public health.

Key stakeholders and policymakers will discuss the recently-published obesity strategy which sets out plans and actions including:

  • Launch of the Better Health campaign by PHE, which includes access to resources such as the free NHS 12 week weight loss plan app, as well as new advertising and partnerships
  • Expansion of healthy weight management services available through the NHS, building on commitments in the NHS Long Term Plan
  • Encouraging healthier food choices and restriction of high fat, sugar and salt food promotions, and banning their advertisement before 9pm on TV and online
  • Training for staff to become healthy weight coaches, which primary care networks will be able to access through PHE
  • Increasing patient access to specialist support, with GPs being incentivised to refer patients through the Quality and Outcomes Framework

Find out more at https://www.westminsterforumprojects.co.uk/forums/index.php?fid=westminster_health_forum