1. Weigh to Men’s Health
Putting Policy into Practice
in Northern Ireland
Dr Tracy Owen
Consultant in Public Health Medicine
8 June 2011

2. Content
Policy context in NI
Role of the Public Health Agency
Challenges

3. Size of the problem
NI Health and Social Wellbeing Survey (2006)
- 35% of adults overweight
- 24% obese
= 3 in every 5 adults in NI carry excess weight

5. Childhood obesity – year 1
2008-09
Overweight 17.2%
Obese 5.3%
Overweight or obese 22.5%
Source: Child Health System

6. Childhood obesity – year 8/9
2008-09
Overweight 20.2%
Obese 7.1%
Overweight or obese 27.3%
Source: BMI measurements at year 8/9

7. Policy
• Fit Futures – 2006, childhood obesity
• A Fitter Future for All –Obesity Prevention
Framework for Northern Ireland 2011-2021,
(consultation document)

8. Strategies and frameworks
• Cardiovascular Services Framework
• Strategy for Sports Physical Recreation in NI,
2008-13
• Regional Transport Strategy 2002-12

9. Evidence
• Foresight report
• White House report on childhood obesity
• NICE guidance

10. Priorities/Targets
• Reduce the proportion of children who are
obese
• Halt the rise in obesity

11. Role of the PHA
• Improve health and wellbeing, reduce inequalities
• Regional approach
• Coordinating role - internal
• Bringing elements together – nutrition, physical activity,
breast feeding
• Engaging with others
• Implementation of regional framework

12. Approach
1. Give children a healthy start in life
2. Increase info and skills on nutrition and physical activity
3. Community access to healthy affordable food
4. Provide healthy choices outside the home
5. Provide opportunities to be physically active
6. Support people to manage their weight
7. Provide training for professionals
8. Coordinate activity , monitor impact, share learning
9. Assist in development of Government policies and legislation to
provide context for change

13. Current work
• Annual action plan
• Strengthen existing work and build on this
• Evidence base
• Roll out good practice
• Regional focus/identity
• Campaigns – public awareness

14. Examples
• Community allotments
• Community based nutrition education
programmes
• Walking initiatives
• Exercise referral schemes

15. Challenges
•Long term approach
•Whole lifespan approach
•Understanding behaviour
change
•Innovation
•Coordinated approach
across agencies

16. Thank You