New strategy to reduce obesity in Cornwall

People across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly are being asked to help shape a plan to support people to achieve and maintain a healthier weight.

Called the Healthier Weight Strategy, the scheme aims to enable communities and organisations to work together to help people lead healthy and active lives.

The latest data for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly show that 22.5% of reception age children are living with overweight or obesity, while nearly a third (32.7%) of year 6 children are deemed overweight or obese. Meanwhile, two thirds (65.5%) of adults in Cornwall are obese or overweight.

In a statement, Cornwall Council said: “The cause of obesity is not as simple as lacking willpower, eating too much and moving too little. It is actually much more complex with genetic, psychological, sociocultural, economic and environmental factors all playing a part.”