Agenda item - Director of Public Health Annual Report - A Whole City Approach to Healthy Weight

Report of the Director of Public Health (copy attached).

9.1      This item was presented by Caroline Vass, Brighton & Hove Director of Public Health. Also present were Katie Cuming, Consultant in Public Health, and Roisin Thurston, Senior Health Improvement Specialist.

9.2      Ms Vass outlined the work on adopt a whole systems approach to healthy weight that is detailed in the DPH annual report. She thanked all those who had contributed to the annual report.

9.3      Tanya Brown-Griffith noted that this is an important topic: obesity has major impacts on health and wellbeing. However, it needs to be recognised that this is a complex issue and one that needs to be approached with sensitivity, particularly in terms of younger people’s weight. There can be negative impacts if young people feel uncomfortable about their weight, and it needs to be recognised that measures such as BMI are not always accurate.

9.4      Stephen Lightfoot commented that we should be proud at how much work to support healthy weight is happening in the city. He also asked a question about the use of weight loss medication. Ms Vass responded that she shares Mr Lightfoot’s concerns about the potential risks of these medications, particularly when they are used without appropriate supervision.

9.5      Alan Boyd asked whether a local submission had been made to the Health Select Committee enquiry on obesity. Ms Cuming responded that no submission has been made to date, but one will be considered.

9.6      Mr Boyd asked whether there was a role for anchor institutions in helping to promote healthy weight. Ms Cuming agreed, telling the Board that one option to explore might be an accreditation scheme for organisations.

9.7      RESOLVED – that the report be noted.