Staying fit is now a vital life choice
Posted by Stephen Timms, MP for East Ham, at 16:06, Wed 20 September 2006:
It is almost impossible to turn on the television or radio or open a newspaper without being assaulted by statistics on obesity – and the facts can be extremely troubling. A recent report from the Department of Health predicted more than 12 million adults and one million children will be obese by 2010 if no action is taken. The report also warned 19% of boys and 22% of girls aged two to 15 will be obese by this time. Recent articles also highlight the negative effect that obesity can have on male and female fertility. Research from the US shows that obese women are more susceptible to aggressive ovarian cancers and are more likely to die from the disease. Obese people are also twice as likely to lose their sight. Many are living increasingly sedentary lifestyles, so what can we do to tackle this ticking health time bomb?
The TV chef Jamie Oliver’s high profile campaign on school dinners last year perhaps gives us a clue. By instilling a love for healthy food in our young people, and demonstrating the difference it can make to their future life chances, we can stop bad eating habits forming, and foster good ones that can last a lifetime. Together with emphasising the need for regular exercise, infecting children with a passion for healthy food must be our goal.
We have already invested heavily in healthier school meals. Education Secretary Alan Johnson recently announced new measures to ensure school pupils get the nutrients they need, and school cooks get the kitchens and training they need to provide healthier food.
There will be new funding for healthy ingredients; a network of centres of excellence for training school cooks; from 2008, pupils will be entitled to learn to cook; also from 2008, there will be a fund for building new kitchens for those schools which need them most; and increased tendering opportunities in schools for small and local food producers.
This is in addition to previously announced changes to menus which will see an end to many junk foods being sold in schools, a big reduction in deep-fried food, and a guarantee of two portions of fruit or veg every day.
We have appointed a “minister for fitness” to encourage us all to build physical activity into our everyday lives. However, Government can only do so much. It is up to everyone to make for themselves the best choices for themselves and their families.
The world’s greatest athletes will all be coming to our borough in six years time. I now often meet Newham schoolchildren aiming to compete in the Olympic Games in 2012. With the Games fast approaching, we have a great incentive in Newham to realise the benefits of healthier living. For some of our young people, it could lead to Olympic glory. If that’s not a spur to action then I don’t know what is!
Commenting on this message is now disabled.