obesity
Councils are currently discussing strategies to address rising obesity rates and food insecurity, particularly in deprived areas.
Councils are currently addressing rising obesity rates and food insecurity. Barking and Dagenham's Overview and Scrutiny Committee is facing pressure to address these issues, with a September 2026 report indicating 20.1% of residents experienced hunger due to affordability (story 9608). In Bexley, the Adult Social Care & Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee discussed progress on tackling obesity in June 2026, noting that one in four adults and one in five reception-aged children live with obesity, rising to one in three by Year 6 (stories 8048, 8045).
Newham's Overview and Scrutiny Committee discussed its "50 Steps to a Healthier Borough" strategy in March 2026 to tackle high obesity rates, reporting nearly half of Year 6 children and 70% of adults have an unhealthy weight (story 6986). Islington's HealthWise programme, for adults with health concerns, exceeded targets by April 2026, achieving nearly 1,000 referrals and high completion rates (story 7240).
Redbridge's Health and Wellbeing Board had an obesity needs assessment on its agenda in September 2026 (meeting 2026-09-14). Bexley's Health and Wellbeing Board reviewed a new action plan in September 2025, prioritising support for individuals, embedding healthy lifestyles, and improving the food environment (story 2206).
Key facts
- A September 2026 report indicated 20.1% of Barking and Dagenham residents experienced hunger due to affordability. Source
- In Bexley, one in four adults and one in five reception-aged children live with obesity, as reported in June 2026. Source 1 Source 2
- Islington's HealthWise programme achieved nearly 1,000 referrals by April 2026. Source
- 93% of Islington's HealthWise programme completers achieved at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise weekly by April 2026. Source
- Nearly half of Year 6 children and 70% of adults in Newham have an unhealthy weight, as reported in March 2026. Source
About this summary
This summary was written automatically from our published stories and the council meeting records they draw on, with background from Wikipedia. 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 30 September 2026. Spotted a mistake? Email community@opencouncil.network.