The new plan, 'Eating for Health', aims to co-ordinate and develop regional activity on healthy eating and improved nutrition and will cover issues such as:
- childhood obesity
- better nutrition
- increasing the purchase of local, sustainably produced food
Welcoming the new action plan, Yvonne Arthurs, Deputy Regional Director of Public Health in the South East, said:
"This food and health action plan has become an absolute priority for the South East region which has seen rapidly rising rates of obesity like many other regions. In fact childhood obesity has virtually doubled between 1995 and 2002 so the time to act is now. The action plan co-ordinates work by a number of Government Departments and regional agencies to promote a healthy and sustainable diet and a reduction in the rates of obesity."
In the South East, only 13.7% of 5-15 year olds and 15.4% of 16-19 year olds eat the recommended five portions of fruit and vegetables a day. Only 62% of 4-15 year olds take enough exercise to improve their health.
