The NHS in the north east has embraced the national Change4Life programme which was launched in 2008 to improve children’s diets, increase levels of physical activity - thus reducing the threat to their future health and happiness - and encourage families to eat well, move more and live longer.
The north east was chosen to pilot the Department of Health's convenience store initiative promoting healthier eating in deprived communities by increasing the availability of fruit and vegetables in corner shops and was the first scheme in the country to carry the Change4Life branding.
NHS North East has also been working with local schools to embed the core Change4Life messages with children from an early age by encouraging a healthy lifestyle, balanced diet and regular physical activity.
Every single school in the north east is now participating in the national healthy schools programme with 90% - the highest achieving region in the country – also meeting the core criteria to achieve ‘healthy schools status’.
A new wave of activity in the Change4Life campaign has now begun to help adults to make healthier choices about what they eat and how they can make simple changes to increase their levels of physical activity.
Tackling obesity in the region is a key priotiy outlined in our Better health, fairer health strategy and extensive work is underway by the regional advisory group to prevent obesity by looking at diet in pregnancy and establishing community based obesity treatment and support services. Many other initiatives, including healthy eating and exercise programmes, family-friendly cooking lessons in the community and promotion of healthier eating in schools are also underway by local NHS organisations across the region.
