Knowsley Council is continuing its drive to tackle childhood obesity, with a wide-ranging programme of support helping children and families make healthier choices from the earliest years.
A report presented to the Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee highlights the progress being made alongside the challenges that remain. While childhood obesity rates in Knowsley continue to be among the highest in the country, the gap between the borough and the national average is beginning to narrow.
Latest figures show that almost three in ten Reception-aged children (29.7%) and more than four in ten Year 6 pupils (43.3%) are overweight or living with obesity. The report makes clear that children in more deprived communities are disproportionately affected, with factors such as the cost of healthy food, the local food environment and access to physical activity all playing a significant role.
In response, the Council and its partners are delivering a coordinated approach through the Healthier Weight Strategy 2025–2030, with a clear ambition to help more children start school at a healthy weight and reduce the number leaving primary school living with obesity.
The strategy is already being brought to life through a range of initiatives. Every primary school in Knowsley is now taking part in the Healthy Schools Programme, promoting healthier school meals, active lifestyles and better food choices. Families are also benefiting from enhanced breastfeeding support, school nursing services and the new Healthy Futures Knowsley programme, which provides practical advice on healthy eating, physical activity and sleep.
The report also recognises that improving children’s health goes beyond individual choices. Work is continuing to increase access to affordable healthy food, create more opportunities for physical activity and tackle the wider inequalities that influence health outcomes.
Although most children in Knowsley are a healthy weight, the report concluded that sustained partnership working and early intervention will be essential to ensuring more children can grow up healthier, happier and ready to thrive.