Mayor calls for ‘water-only’ schools to help reduce childhood obesity

• Sadiq urges all primary schools to become ‘water only’ as he responds to the recommendations of London’s independent Child Obesity Taskforce
• London has one of the highest rates of childhood obesity in Europe - highest levels are in the most deprived areas of the capital
• The Mayor created London’s Child Obesity Taskforce, an independent group of experts, to develop ideas to reduce these levels and close the health inequality gap

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has urged all London’s primary schools to become ‘water only’ in a bid to tackle childhood obesity across the capital.

Sadiq called on boroughs to follow Southwark’s example and increase access to water in primary schools as he visited Tower Bridge Primary School to announce that all Southwark primary schools have a ‘water-only’ policy.

Making water freely available and introducing ‘water only’ schools – where just water and low-fat milk are allowed as drinks – was one of the ambitions of London’s Child Obesity Taskforce. To support schools the mayor also launched a new ‘water-only schools toolkit’ developed in partnership with Public Health England.

London has one of the highest rates of childhood obesity in Europe with almost 40 per cent of children in Year 6 overweight or obese. The Mayor created the Taskforce in 2018 to help develop ideas that would reduce these levels and close a health inequality gap. Some of the highest levels of obesity are in the most deprived areas of the capital.

The Mayor wants to halve the number of children living with obesity by 2030 and has already taken bold action including advertising restrictions on the TfL estate, proposals in the draft London plan to prevent new fast food outlets within 400m of schools, introducing an unprecedented focus on walking and cycling, and a Healthy Early Years London programme improving health and wellbeing in schools.

The independent taskforce worked with lead partner Guy’s and St Thomas’ Charity, as well as Public Health England, The Association of Directors of Public Health London (ADPH London) and the Association of Directors of Children’s Services London (ADCS London), to set out a series of wide-ranging calls for action across all aspects of life in the capital, including the NHS, the government, London boroughs, the Mayor, schools and the food industry.

The Mayor today responded to the taskforce’s recommendations and outlined how he will continue to support the ambitions through his wide-ranging work. He also said he would call for schools to be water-only, write to Ofsted to ask they encourage schools and pre-schools to encourage healthy diets, water and physical activity, and invite representatives from water companies and the advertising industry to form a new partnership group to consider how to encourage children to drink more water.

Sadiq unveiled the plans as he joined London’s Child Obesity Taskforce chair Paul Lindley to meet pupils and staff at Tower Bridge Primary School.

Sadiq Khan, The Mayor of London, said: “It’s high time we faced up to the reality that our city has a child obesity problem and I’m clear that we all have a role to play in helping Londoners make healthy choices. Making water freely available and introducing measures like ‘water-only’ in schools are just some of the simple things we can do to not only tackle childhood obesity, but also improve pupil behaviour and learning. I’m urging all schools in London to follow Southwark’s example and adopt the policy to help improve the life chances of all young Londoners.” 

Paul Lindley OBE, Chair of London’s Child Obesity Taskforce, said: “We need to do all that we can to make sure London is a city in which children can grow up healthier and thrive.  Research shows that increasing drinking water in schools is a great way to help young Londoners start to make healthier choices and improve their own well-being and academic outcomes. London’s child obesity taskforce is taken bold steps to tackle child obesity which is having a detrimental impact on young Londoners now and in the future. I am delighted all primary schools in Southwark are adopting our water-only policy. I hope all schools across the capital follow their lead.”

Evelyn Akoto, Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Public Health said: “In February, all Southwark schools were sent details of the new water only policy to allow ample time for teachers and school staff to work with pupils to transition to water only. This policy will be mandatory for all primary schools in Southwark (and nursery classes) from the start of summer term in April 2020. Schools will put in place processes to advise parents about the new policy and to offer guidance as needed. Promoting drinking water and banning sweetened drinks should kick start making healthier choices and improving children’s health from nursey onwards.”

Kate Wooder, Executive Head Bridges Federation said: “Children’s health and wellbeing are a top priority for us at Tower Bridge Primary School and the Bridges Federation, we are delighted to be leading the field by implementing the water only policy. The toolkit was an invaluable resource for the school and with support from our staff and parents, it was an easy transition to make.  We have already seen some great results with improved concentration, behaviour and learning amongst our children.  I hope we can inspire schools across London to go water free too.”

ENDS

Notes to editors:

Water-only schools means water and low-fat milk will be the only drinks allowed in primary schools, unless there are medical requirements

Childhood obesity can lead to the early onset of conditions traditionally associated with old age, such as type-2 diabetes, poor oral health and cardiovascular disease. It is also associated with poor psychological and emotional health, lower educational attainment and poor sleep. Obese children are also likely to experience bullying linked to their weight and are more likely to become obese adults living with the condition and consequences for life and with a higher risk of morbidity, disability and premature death in adulthood.

Nearly 40 per cent of children aged 10 and 11 in London are classed as overweight or obese while adults in London have higher rates of obesity than comparable global cities such as New York, Sydney, Paris and Madrid https://digital.nhs.uk/catalogue/PUB30113 / https://www.london.gov.uk/sites/default/files/better_health_for_london.pdf

Obesity rates are highest in the most deprived 10 per cent of the population - approximately twice that of the least deprived 10 per cent. The rate of children who are overweight or obese in their final year at primary school living in Barking and Dagenham is nearly 44 per cent while in Richmond it is 25 per cent.