The Chairman of the county’s Health and Wellbeing Board has warned of “an explosion of diabetes” as obesity rates in Nottinghamshire remain high.
Obesity can cause high blood pressure, angina, and overall ill health.
This can start right from the moment a child first presents themself at school.
Notts is currently above the national average, with 66% of the county being obese.
This varies across the county according to the wealth of an area.
In Mansfield, for example, 72% of people are obese.
These high levels of obesity include children.
In the more affluent area of Rushcliffe, only 5% of school children are obese.
Whereas 25% are obese in the poorer area of Ashfield.
In the region as a whole, 15% of children in reception are obese.
By the time they are in Year six, 20-25% are overweight.
Dr John Doddy (Con, Stapleford and Broxtowe Central) told Gedling Eye: “With everyone talking about a Climate Emergency, it suddenly struck me that people know more about melting ice caps than they do about their own health.”
“Before Covid, one or two people out of ten who were pre-diabetic became diabetic. Now it’s more like eight or nine.
“I see it as a GP when people come through my door.
“Our goal is to look for the holy grail: the prevention of childhood obesity.”
Dr Doddy proposed a motion during a full council meeting earlier this month, saying that fat is already growing in children’s arteries.
He added: “We are in a crisis. We are in an immediacy of a nutritional emergency for the people of Nottinghamshire.
“This will affect all of us and overwhelm the NHS [with]… “billions of pounds in expenses.”
“In 2022, are we not able to provide [an adequate and well balance diet]?
“It’s like they are trying to create some sort of herd immunity.
Dr Doddy added: “People have a right to have a healthy life expectancy.
“This is not a lifestyle choice… this is health inequality. We need calorie neutrality.
“What is the point of saving the planet if we’re losing the population?
“Your kids are dying today. Your residents are dying today.”
He finished by suggesting that obesity needs to be talked about in the same way as depression and other illnesses.
His motion passed unanimously.
The council have said that they will strive for a preventative agenda, aiming for a healthy and food sustainable shire.
This will include a promise to promote healthy takeaways and affordable food, and a Childhood Obesity Trailblazer Programme, which will aim to intervene to stop unhealthy weight gain during the early stages of childhood.
The Nottinghamshire Food Shire will also see businesses signing up to their responsibility to create nutritious food.
Deputy Leader of the County Council, Cllr Bruce Laughton (Con, Muskham and Farnsfield) said that transport plans will be adapted to encourage active lives.
He added: “We are serious on this particular issue”
This will be consolidated by a Partnership Action Plan.
Cllr Laughton said: “this shows the role food can play in creating healthier lives, richer economies and a sustainable environment.”
Opposition councillor, Michael Payne (Lab, Arnold North) called on the County Council to appoint a champion to lead work on food poverty, nutrition, and “drive change”.
He also called for the council to join an existing Nottingham partnership between Good Food Project, the City Council, local universities, supermarkets, and allotments.
Dr Doddy confirmed to Gedling Eye that the council will be appointing a food champion.
Also underway is a Childhood Obesity Trailblazer Programme.
Nottinghamshire County Council was one of five counties given funding to investigate why so many of the area’s children are obese.
