healthy weight
Councils are focusing on promoting healthy weight, with Barking and Dagenham reporting declining childhood obesity rates.
Barking and Dagenham reported a decline in childhood obesity rates for Reception and Year 6 children in July 2026, with Reception-aged children's rates 0.6% lower than the national average for 2024-25, according to the National Child Measurement Programme. Islington Council launched a comprehensive healthy weight programme in March 2026, aiming to make healthier choices the easiest option for residents, as presented to the Health and Wellbeing Board.
Merton Council's Healthier Communities and Older People Overview and Scrutiny Panel noted updates on its Healthy Weight action plan in March 2026. This follows a report to Islington's Health and Wellbeing Board in March 2026 which highlighted that nearly half of the borough's adult residents have a body mass index considered unhealthy.
Lambeth's Health and Wellbeing Board discussed plans for promoting physical activity in June 2026, while Merton's Health and Wellbeing Board endorsed a Year 2 action plan for its Health and Wellbeing Strategy in June 2026. No further meetings are currently scheduled to specifically discuss healthy weight.
Key facts
- Childhood obesity rates for Reception-aged children in Barking and Dagenham were 0.6% lower than the national average for 2024-25. Source
- Barking and Dagenham saw a decline in childhood obesity rates for Reception and Year 6 children in 2024-25. Source
- Islington Council launched a comprehensive healthy weight programme on 17 March 2026. Source
- Nearly half of Islington's adult residents have a body mass index considered unhealthy, according to a report in March 2026. Source
About this summary
This summary was written automatically from our published stories and the council meeting records they draw on. It describes what councils have discussed and decided; it does not take a view on any decision. Each key fact links to the story it comes from. Updated 1 October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Email community@opencouncil.network.