Shropshire Council's plan to tackle obesity approved

Government figures have shown that 67% of people across the UK are obese or overweight

Shropshire Council has laid out proposals to tackle rising levels of obesity.

Its Healthier Weight Strategy, which focuses on poverty, exercise and access to healthy foods, has been approved.

Government figures show that 67% of the county's population are overweight or obese.

Across Shropshire, more than half of children are not getting enough exercise, while more than 14% of homes struggle with food poverty.

A report presented to the council's cabinet read: "Obesity levels have increased exponentially over recent decades because of changes to the environment within which we live, work and play.

"Given its strong association with poverty, obesity impacts disproportionately on more deprived communities, in particular affecting children."

The report acknowledged Shropshire had a lower income per capita and a higher prevalence of obesity than the England average.

The council's proposals set out six strategic objectives for the plan, including steps to reduce food poverty, increase opportunities for activity, and working with schools and nurseries to improve education around healthy weight.

Among the recommendations are plans to maximise household incomes by "increasing awareness of the level of unclaimed benefits", adding that lower income residents spend a higher proportion of their income on food and often find healthy options unaffordable.

The strategy also aims to inform future planning decisions, while improving access to healthy food shops and community growing initiatives are also listed as objectives.

Shropshire Council's cabinet approved the adoption of the strategy, which will run through until 2028.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.