Projects that work with children and families to prevent
childhood obesity and reduce health inequalities are benefitting
from more than half a million pounds of investment.
Ten projects across Scotland will share £538,141. The funding is
allocated to initiatives such as Little n Lively - run by
NHS Lanarkshire – which provides families and young children
in the area with practical skills and information on nutrition
and cooking and increased opportunities for physical activity and
expanding social networks.
This year a number of health boards, including NHS Orkney and NHS
Shetland, are continuing or implementing the ‘HENRY - Healthy
Families Right from the Start’ programme which helps parents and
carers with children up to five years old to provide a healthier,
happier start in life.
The internationally adopted, evidence-based package provides
support with family emotional wellbeing and information about
nutrition, physical activity and oral health.
The funding is part of the Scottish Government’s commitment to
ensure all children have the best start in life and the projects
support the ambition to halve childhood obesity in Scotland by
2030.
Speaking on World Obesity Day (Monday), Public Health Minister
said:
“Preventing the causes of ill health is an important part of our
efforts to make the health service sustainable in the years to
come. That includes addressing obesity, particularly as we know
good nutrition and physical activity is crucial for children’s
health and development.
“We want Scotland to be the best place in the world for a child
to grow up, and these early years projects are crucial to our
bold ambition of halving childhood obesity by 2030.
“These ambitious and effective projects will also help tackle
inequalities by working with families and communities to
encourage healthy eating and offering support for those
experiencing food insecurity.”
Health Improvement Adviser for NHS Shetland, Fern Jamieson said:
“The continued early years funding from Scottish Government has
enabled NHS Shetland and partners to continue delivery of the
HENRY ‘Healthy Families Right from the Start’ programme to more
families across Shetland.
“Healthy Families Right from the Start is an 8-week programme to
support parents and carers with children between 0-5 years to
provide a healthier, happier start in life. Parents and carers
have the opportunity to join online or face-to-face groups,
providing improved access across Shetland. We have had reports
that the programme is very interesting, enjoyable and a good
opportunity to share ideas with others which has helped in making
healthy changes across the whole family.
“With over 20 groups across Shetland, we are engaging with
communities to deliver our standalone HENRY workshops. Feedback
has been very positive and parents and carers feel more confident
at mealtimes, understanding behaviours and cooking cost
effectively.”
Background
Projects receiving funding in 2023/24 are:
NHS Ayrshire & Arran: JumpStart Tots - £76,828
NHS Dumfries & Galloway: A whole systems approach with a
focus on Early Years - £11,400
NHS Grampian: Training and support for a group of multi-agency
professionals across Aberdeenshire to deliver the HENRY approach -
£15,000
NHS Grampian: Upskill relevant teaching staff to deliver the Grow
Well Choices Early Years programme - £15,000
NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde: ‘Thrive Under Five’ programme -
£66,000
NHS Lanarkshire: ‘Little n Lively’ programme in partnership with
Healthy Valleys - £141,492
NHS Lothian and NHS Fife: Continued delivery of HENRY core
training to early years workforce - £115,700 (£96,400 for
Lothian, £19,300 for Fife)
NHS Orkney: Training and support for practitioners to deliver the
HENRY approach - £24,058
NHS Shetland: Training and support for practitioners to deliver
the HENRY approach - £23,400
NHS Tayside: Refreshing the Eat Well Play Well programme -
£49,263
The Scottish Government published the Diet and Healthy Weight
Delivery Plan in July 2018.
