Council backs government's Better Health campaign

Darlington Borough Council has welcomed government plans to lower obesity levels for children and adults.

The new measures to be introduced, announced earlier this week, include a ban on junk food advertising before 9pm, the ending of buy one, get one free deals on high fat and sugar foods and the launch of a national campaign ‘Better Health’ to provide information and support.

The Covid-19 pandemic has added further emphasis on the need to put plans in place, given that there is strong evidence to suggest that living with excess weight put people at much greater risk. 

Councillor Kevin Nicholson, Darlington Borough Council’s Cabinet member for Health and Housing, said: “We welcome the Government plans, which will support the work already underway around our Childhood Healthy Weight Plan, which sets out a vision to see more children at a healthy weight when they leave primary school.

“There is no simple fix to such a complex issue as obesity, but tackling it in a non-stigmatising way is a good start. Our plan for Darlington is focused on children and young people, ensuring that positive habits are formed early, but the intention is to implement a whole system approach to provide an environment that promotes healthy choices to benefit everyone.”

For more information and support about how to kickstart your health, visit https://www.nhs.uk/better-health