Dr David Tuthill, RCPCH Officer for Wales said:
We warmly welcome the publication of Healthy Weight: Healthy Wales. Like many others we have called on the Welsh Government to develop and implement an evidenced-based obesity strategy for tackling the current crisis and preventing further escalation of this preventable problem. The Welsh Government has responded to that challenge and taken a huge step forward with the publication of this strategy. The focus must now be on implementation and delivery.
The strategy sets out a series of actions that could have a transformative impact on children’s health – action to restrict advertising of unhealthy food to children, limits on take-aways near schools, major improvements to streets and communities to give children and parents confidence to walk, cycle and play outdoors. It also includes commitments to develop much needed weight management services for those children and families who are already need help.
We must now see this delivered in full. With more than a quarter of Welsh children overweight or obese at reception age, we urge the Welsh Government, the Welsh NHS and all of the other partners to embrace this vital plan and work in partnership with families. There’s a huge amount of work to be done and not a moment to waste - but we now have a way forward for children and young people in Wales.