Health Innovation Wessex supports Dorset with knowledge mobilisation project for healthy weight

A new knowledge mobilisation project has launched in Dorset aimed at transforming ways to promote healthy weight in children and young people.

New government figures (2023-24) show that in Dorset, 22.4% of children in reception (aged 4-5 years) and 32.1% of children in year 6 (age 10-11 years) are overweight or living with obesity. Obesity in reception children is not decreasing and remains in line with pre-pandemic levels.  

These high prevalences can have severe consequences for individuals, society and the healthcare system, and the issue is being treated as a top priority by health planners in Dorset. Excess weight in children leads to other health conditions and is linked to asthma, early puberty, diabetes and some cancers. It can also cause anxiety, poor self-esteem and eating disorders. If remaining obese into adulthood, these individuals will have a lower life expectancy than adults who are not obese.

With the help of funding from Wessex Health Partners, this project brings together academics, healthcare professionals, local authorities and the voluntary sector across the region. Working together, NHS Dorset, Health Innovation Wessex and Wessex Health Partners have set the aim to learn from pioneering research and practice already underway in the region, and implement this in a way which will work for Dorset people. 

Professor Keith Godfrey, from the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, is a renowned leader in this field. The project is drawing on his vast experience running LifeLab programmes aimed at tackling childhood obesity. This enables children and young people to learn first-hand the science behind the health messages – so they can really understand the why of healthy lifestyle changes. 

“Dorset is leading the way in its commitment to reducing the high levels of overweight in children,” said Professor Godfrey. “This will require policies that bring together those in the education, cultural, healthcare and local government sectors to promote diets of high quality, physical activity and healthy sleep habits. The challenge is not an easy one, but the benefits for health, wellbeing and economic prosperity in the county are enormous.”

Heather Stacey, Senior Programme Manager at Health Innovation Wessex explained that in Dorset, the intention is to take an approach based on what’s already working elsewhere. “We need to understand that children and young people often don’t have a lot of choice in this area. For them, losing weight isn’t as simple as eating less and moving more.”

Obesity levels among children starting their first year of school have increased to almost one in ten, according to new NHS figures. The National Child Measurement Programme, which measures the height and weight of school children in England, found that the proportion of 4 and 5-year-olds living with obesity rose to 9.6% in 2023/24. The NHS spends around £6.5 billion a year on treating obesity-related ill health across all age groups in England. 

“This is about children’s life chances, and it’s such an important issue to take forward,” explained Tess Green, Senior Project Manager at NHS Dorset. “The impact of obesity on adults is immense, leading to lifelong conditions. We need to get the messages right about healthy nutrition and looking after yourself, and how this affects you personally.”

Christine McGrath, Managing Director of Wessex Health Partners, said: “We are delighted to have helped partners come together on this important initiative. It is an excellent example of how by working in partnership, we can apply our region’s research and innovation to tackle a pressing health issue. The new collaboration will be well placed to improve outcomes working with our local communities raising children’s life chances across the Wessex area.”

Health Innovation Wessex is continuing to support NHS Dorset with this work. For more information, please contact Heather Stacey, Senior Programme Manager, at heather.stacey@hiwessex.net