Nine ‘healthy towns’ to share £30m pot
The Government has given nine areas in England ‘healthy town’ status in a drive to combat obesity*.
Sheffield, Dudley, Halifax, Tower Hamlets in London, Thetford, Middlesbrough, Manchester, Tewkesbury and Portsmouth will share £30 million in return for developing a range of schemes related to cycling, walking, healthy eating and green spaces.
The nine areas will each match the government funding to develop ideas to promote healthy living. ‘Healthy towns’ is part of a wide public health drive being rolled out across England to help tackle the growing problem of obesity, with Sheffield having the highest levels of adult obesity in the country**.
Health Secretary Alan Johnson said: "Obesity is the biggest health challenge we face. For the first time we've given nine areas ‘healthy town’ status. This means they must promote healthy living.
"Each town has come up with innovative ways - such as a loyalty schemes or cycling projects - to help their residents to be more active. ‘Healthy towns’ is just the start. Our aim is to create a healthy England."
Statistics suggest obesity is increasing to such an extent that by 2050 around 90 per cent of adults will be overweight or obese***.
Each year, around 9,000 people die prematurely of obesity-related conditions such as cancer, heart disease and diabetes.
The cost of health and social provision to the country is likely to rise to £50 billion a year and doctors are warning that obesity can shorten lives by 11 years.
Mr Johnson added: "It’s the curse of modern life. We eat too much and don't take enough exercise to burn off the calories. If this trend continues, by 2050 nine out of 10 adults and two thirds of all children will be overweight or obese."
Westfield Health is always keen to support and encourage healthy living through diet and exercise.
Many of Westfield’s cash plans include a health club concession benefit, which provides policyholders with access to special concessionary deals at a range of health and fitness clubs across England.
References:
* http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7719304.stm - Nine areas have been given the go-ahead to become "healthy towns" under a plan by ministers to combat obesity.
** http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2008/nov/10/obesity-healthy-towns1 - Healthy towns
*** http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/article3411540.ece - Nine out of ten adults will be overweight by 2050.
© Westfield Health Insurance | 2009
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