Obesity rates in adults drop across city

The adult obesity rate in Peterborough has "dropped considerably", according to a new figures.

A report to be put before Cambridgeshire and Peterborough's joint health and well-being board and Integrated Care Partnership shows the latest figures on child and adult obesity rates, and highlights what needs to be done going forward.

The Cambridgeshire rate for adult obesity at 61.1% is slightly lower than the national rate, while Peterborough's rate (64%) has "dropped considerably" and is now equal to the national rate, it says.

The report will be discussed at a meeting on Friday.

The report shows the overall rate of childhood overweight/obesity has stabilised across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.

Cambridgeshire's reception age obesity rate has dropped to about the Covid pandemic level, but Peterborough's rate reflects its historical trend of fluctuating, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

Both Peterborough and Fenland stand out as having rates above the national average in childhood obesity in reception age and Year 6 age children.

The report states: "Tackling obesity is complex and requires a comprehensive and system-wide approach. It also means aligning to national policy, for example the Child Health Action Plan and Health Mission."

A consultation is currently under way looking at the city council's public health behaviour change service budget, as the city council needs to shave £440,000 a year off its discretionary public health services.

While some of the services it provides are mandatory, such as substance misuse, health visitors and sexual health, others, such as services which aim to change behaviours which lead to poorer health outcomes are not.

It is proposed the savings are made by reducing spending on health trainers and adult weight management services, where evidence shows that the impact of these services on weight reduction in adults is low.

Instead, support would be focused on activities which prevent people becoming overweight, including advice around diet and exercise. People would continue to be able to receive weight management support from the NHS.

Dr Shabina Qayyum, the council's cabinet member for public health and adult social care, said that despite an "uplift in the region of £400,000 in our public health grant for the current financial year", it was not enough to cover the demands of a growing population.

She said: "We have looked at the services we have a choice over providing and it is those where the impact is lowest, and where there are alternatives offered by the NHS, where we are proposing to reduce funding."

Friday's meeting will consider obesity in the region and the areas that need to be addressed by the system in order to maintain and accelerate progress.

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