Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps the Government is taking to increase the awareness of the dangers of obesity to children and young people.

The Government’s Childhood Obesity Plan launched in August 2016 will help children and families to recognise and make healthier choices and be more active. Key measures in the plan include the soft drinks industry levy, the sugar reduction and wider reformulation programme and helping children to enjoy an hour of physical activity every day.

Public Health England's social marketing campaign, Change4Life aims to help families and children in England to eat well and move more. The campaign has enjoyed considerable success and high levels of engagement. Since its launch in 2009 more than four million people have signed up to Change4Life and it now has more than 200 national partners. Change4Life materials, digital apps and resources incentivise and encourage behaviour change through providing simple ideas, tips and swaps. Through this campaign the Government, the National Health Service, local authorities, businesses, charities, schools, families and community leaders can all play a part in improving children’s diets and activity levels.

The Healthy Child Programme is the key universal public health service, delivered by health visitors, for improving the health and wellbeing of children. Its goals are to identify and treat problems early, help parents to care well for their children, change health behaviours and protect against preventable diseases. The programme is evidence-based and aims to prevent problems in child health and development and contribute to a reduction in health inequalities.