Child weight is a priority

Maintaining a healthy weight in children needs to be seen as a society-wide issue, according to NHS Tayside.

Health bosses have been developing a strategy for child healthy weight following a three-month public consultation.

During the consultation, it was found child healthy weight must be seen as a society-wide issue, with everyone being aware of what they can do to support child healthy weight and working together with families and communities.

It also found making healthy choices around eating, drinking, playing and moving should be a whole family affair in order to give children the best start in life.

The consultation also states the environment must support healthier choices and families must be able to get helpful weight management support from the right person at the right time.

NHS Tayside has also said families and communities most in need will be their main concern to target their attention to those who need it the most.

Joyce Thompson, NHS Tayside’s dietetic consultant in public health, said: “We are absolutely delighted with the number of young people and families who spoke to us at various community events across the region.

“This has been a fantastic response to the public consultation and we are very encouraged by the wide range of people of all ages who gave their opinions and suggestions, offered support or wanted to find out more.

“All this information is invaluable as we move into the next phase of co-creating a child healthy weight strategy for children and families in Tayside.”