Bexley is intensifying its efforts to combat obesity with a newly unveiled action plan, prioritising support for individuals, embedding healthy lifestyles, improving the food environment, and promoting physical activity. Obesity is a key issue in Bexley and an important cause of health inequality, with approximately one in four adults and over one in five children living with obesity in the borough.

The Bexley Health and Wellbeing Board reviewed the plan at its meeting on Thursday, noting the progress made up to August 2025. The plan was developed by the Healthy Weight Strategic Partnership and aligns with both the Health and Wellbeing Strategy and the NHS Joint Forward Plan, where action on obesity is a key priority.

Key achievements highlighted in the report include:

  • Support for individuals: A weight management service for adults with learning disabilities has been commissioned in partnership with the Royal Borough of Greenwich and London Borough of Bromley. The service launched in May 2025, with 14 Bexley residents participating in face-to-face programmes.
  • Embedding Healthy Lifestyles: The Public Health team is collaborating with GP practices to promote action on obesity and increase referrals to available services. A review of Bexley's parks and green spaces has also been completed to inform efforts to tackle obesity.
  • Physical Activity: Outdoor gyms are being activated to promote physical activity. Three organisations (Head in the Game, Age UK Bexley and Charlton Athletic Community Trust) have been commissioned to deliver interventions to support physical activity for mild/moderate mental health support and suicide prevention with a range of under-represented cohorts such as men, older adults and younger adults at higher risk of suicide. To date, over 100 residents have enrolled into the programs and have been provided with mental health support and suicide prevention interventions in a safe, welcoming platform as well as joining in football, badminton, and postural stability sessions. Two new programmes will run from September 2025 to March 2026 – netball for women and a multi-sports programme for children aged 14-18 years.
  • The Food Environment: The Bexley Food Alliance continues to grow, and the Healthier Catering Commitment (HCC) scheme is being reactivated. The scheme provides practical advice to food businesses on straightforward changes that can be made to menus and food preparation to help make food healthier and enable food businesses to achieve the HCC award. Once a business has achieved accreditation, it is valid for two years and is reviewed regularly to ensure that standards and requirements are adhered to between renewal periods. Eligibility for the HCC award is open to food business operators (FBOs) who achieve a Food Hygiene Rating Score (FHRS) of 3 or higher.

The board also heard that Dr Nicole Klynman's Annual Director of Public Health (ADPH) Report focuses on obesity this year.

Looking ahead, the Healthy Weight Strategic Partnership's action plan for the 2025-26 financial year will focus on children and young people, tackling inequalities, and system sustainability. The four subgroups of the partnership will drive forward actions and report on progress quarterly. The action plan for 2025/26 will focus on children & young people, tackling inequalities, and system sustainability.

While the report details the new action plan agreed by the Healthy Weight Strategic Partnership for the 2025-26 financial year, specific targets or metrics are not listed in the meeting information. The action plan itself is available in Appendix A, which may contain further details.