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 2 Version 3
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. Dudley, Halifax, Sheffield, Tower Hamlets in London, Thetford in Norfolk, 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 secretaryHealthy 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.
Thetford is planning a "cycle recycle" project which supports people to buy and maintain bikes.Thetford is planning a "cycle recycle" project which supports people to buy and maintain bikes.
Healthy eatingHealthy 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."

HEALTHY TOWNS

Town Plans Dudley Transforming parks into family health zones Halifax Grow-your-own fruit and veg scheme Manchester Rewards for exercising Middlesbrough Urban farms and junior trainer programmes Portsmouth Signage to help walkers, runners and cyclists time their progress Sheffield Making city breastfeeding-friendly Tewkesbury Urban garden to help people keep fit Thetford Encouragement to cycle more and help with maintaining bikes Tower Hamlets Award scheme for businesses to sell healthy food Source: Department of Health