This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/health/7719304.stm
The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Nine 'healthy towns' get £30m pot | Nine 'healthy towns' get £30m pot |
(31 minutes later) | |
Nine areas have been given the go-ahead to become "healthy towns" under a plan by ministers to combat obesity. | Nine areas have been given the go-ahead to become "healthy towns" under a plan by ministers to combat obesity. |
Dudley, Halifax, Sheffield, Tower Hamlets in London, Thetford, Middlesbrough, Manchester, Tewkesbury and Portsmouth will share a £30m pot. | |
The areas will all match the government funding to develop a host of schemes related to cycling, walking, health eating and green spaces. | The areas will all match the government funding to develop a host of schemes related to cycling, walking, health eating and green spaces. |
It is part of a wider public health drive being rolled out in England. | It is part of a wider public health drive being rolled out in England. |
Health Secretary Alan Johnson said: "Obesity is the biggest health challenge we face. | Health Secretary Alan Johnson said: "Obesity is the biggest health challenge we face. |
Healthy towns is just the start. Our aim is to create a healthy England Alan Johnson, health secretary | Healthy towns is just the start. Our aim is to create a healthy England Alan Johnson, health secretary |
"For the first time we've given nine areas "healthy town" status. | "For the first time we've given nine areas "healthy town" status. |
"This means they must promote healthy living. Each town has come up with innovative ways - such as a loyalty schemes or cycling projects - to help their residents to be more active. | "This means they must promote healthy living. Each town has come up with innovative ways - such as a loyalty schemes or cycling projects - to help their residents to be more active. |
"Healthy towns is just the start. Our aim is to create a healthy England." | "Healthy towns is just the start. Our aim is to create a healthy England." |
Among the measures put foward is a project called Points4Life in Manchester, which is a loyalty scheme to reward people with free activities or healthy food when they take exercise. | Among the measures put foward is a project called Points4Life in Manchester, which is a loyalty scheme to reward people with free activities or healthy food when they take exercise. |
Theftford is planning a "cycle recycle" project which supports people to buy and maintain bikes. | Theftford is planning a "cycle recycle" project which supports people to buy and maintain bikes. |
Healthy eating | Healthy eating |
And in Tower Hamlets, a new award scheme will be launched promoting how healthy fast food outlets, cafes and restaurants are. | And in Tower Hamlets, a new award scheme will be launched promoting how healthy fast food outlets, cafes and restaurants are. |
The idea was first put foward in the government's obesity strategy earlier this year to combat rising rates - nearly a quarter of adults and a fifth of children are obese, according to latest figures. | The idea was first put foward in the government's obesity strategy earlier this year to combat rising rates - nearly a quarter of adults and a fifth of children are obese, according to latest figures. |
The healthy towns are part of the Change4Life campaign, the government's public health drive to encourage a "lifestyle revolution". | The healthy towns are part of the Change4Life campaign, the government's public health drive to encourage a "lifestyle revolution". |
The Change4Life programme is involving community groups, supermarkets, the media and charities in efforts to help people eat more healthily and be more active. | The Change4Life programme is involving community groups, supermarkets, the media and charities in efforts to help people eat more healthily and be more active. |
Other initiatives in the pipeline include cut-price promotions on fruit and vegetables and breakfast clubs in deprived areas. | Other initiatives in the pipeline include cut-price promotions on fruit and vegetables and breakfast clubs in deprived areas. |
Tam Fry, of the National Obesity Forum, said the schemes were "very sensible". | Tam Fry, of the National Obesity Forum, said the schemes were "very sensible". |
But he added: "In many ways this is too little, too late. The government should have acted years ago. | But he added: "In many ways this is too little, too late. The government should have acted years ago. |
"However, you have to start somewhere and these are certainly the right kind of schemes." | "However, you have to start somewhere and these are certainly the right kind of schemes." |