Being an unhealthy weight is a complex problem with many drivers, including behaviour, environment, genetics and culture. Younger generations are becoming developing an unhealthy weight at earlier ages. They are dying prematurely and developing long-term physical and mental health issues due to being an unhealthy weight. This brings economic costs as well as a burden to CYP and their families falling hardest on those children from low-income backgrounds.
Long term change will require active engagement of the wider system including CYP and families, schools, health and social care, communities, Integrated Neighbourhood Teams, research, and academia.
Additional important reasons to prevent an unhealthy weight in children and young people for the following reasons include social and emotional wellbeing, academic performance and long-term consequences. Additionally, excess weight in CYP under 18 years can contribute to poor dietary habits, time spent being inactive or sedentary, prevalence of type 2 diabetes, use of adolescent mental health services (CAMHS), poor self-esteem, poor mental wellbeing and tooth decay.
NICE has produced Obesity in CYP prevention and lifestyle weight management programmes which outlines the evidence and why these matter.
Health Innovation Wessex supports this programme and outcome 2 of the NHS Dorset Five Year Joint forward plan 2023-28 by supporting Dorset ICB and healthy weight across the South West. The key focus is around innovation alongside prevention and early help and working better together through the Dorset Integrated Care Partnership Strategy. Objectives include:
- sharing HIN best practice, other models and learning
- support a regional group focussed on innovation for prevention and creation of a CYP network
- support adoption of innovation from innovation scans
- connect system partners to enable system working and shared learning
- raise awareness of relevant innovators and support connections.
