Progress is being made in efforts to reduce obesity levels across Cambridgeshire, although significant challenges remain.
At the meeting of Cambridgeshire County Council’s Adults and Health Committee yesterday (Thursday 17 September), Members were asked to scrutinise the work being carried out by the Council to tackle obesity levels, increase physical activity and create healthier environments for residents.
The committee report highlighted that after an increase in obesity rates in children during the COVID 19 pandemic there had been a return to pre-pandemic levels, but these have now stagnated. Although rates are below the national average for both children and adults, they are still too high, particularly in children and young people, and in groups with lower income.
Figures from the 2024/25 National Child Measurement Programme show that 7.7% of Reception children and 17.2% of Year 6 children are living with obesity in Cambridgeshire. This is of particular concern as people who are overweight as children are more likely to be overweight in adulthood, which has implications for long term health outcomes and demand for health and care services.
Obesity rates continue to be higher in some communities across Cambridgeshire, particularly in Fenland, where higher rates of obesity are found amongst both children and adults.
There continues to be a strong link between obesity and deprivation. Figures show that 28.0% of Year 6 children in the most deprived areas of Cambridgeshire are living with obesity, compared to just 13.2% in the least deprived areas.
Members were updated on progress delivering the area's Strategic Obesity Framework and the commitments set out in the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Obesity Charter, which brings organisations together behind a shared ambition to make healthy weight the norm and create environments where healthier choices are easier for residents.
The report outlined how local authorities, NHS organisations, schools, district councils, community groups and other partners are working together through a whole-system approach to tackling obesity. This work recognises that maintaining a healthy weight is influenced by a wide range of factors, including access to healthy food, opportunities for physical activity, education, employment, the built environment and wider social and economic circumstances.
Councillor Luis Navarro, Vice Chair of the Adults and Health Committee at Cambridgeshire County Council, said:
“Obesity remains one of the most significant public health challenges facing our communities, affecting people's health, wellbeing and quality of life.
"While progress is being made, there is still much more to do, particularly to address the inequalities that mean some communities experience poorer health outcomes than others.
"By working together through the Strategic Obesity Framework and Obesity Charter, we can help more people eat well, stay active and live independently, supporting our ambition to enable full, healthy lives for all in Cambridgeshire.”
You can view the committee report in full at: Obesity Strategic Update
