The first annual report for the Healthier Weight Strategy 2023-2025 has been published showing which areas of the two year plan are doing well.
One development is the progress in the Food System Mapping project which was designed to help people make better food choices.
It’s part of the overall strategy which was approved by the Committee for Health & Social Care in 2023, extending the previous strategy by two years.
Key progress highlighted also includes the HENRY scheme, which shows improved data on healthy exercise and nutrition in the really young.
The operational delivery of the strategy is managed by Public Health’s partner The Health Improvement Commission, and Alex Hawkins-Drew, Associate Director of Public Health, said she was encouraged by the progress of the strategy since it was refreshed and extended in November 2023.
“We are grateful to our close partnership with the Health Improvement Commission and look forward to continuing this collaboration as we continue to implement and deliver the actions of the Strategy and seek to create an environment that is conducive for positive health and wellbeing.”
The latest report says progress has been made across all three pillars and that “overall completion of the strategy is 52%.”
The report also says the Guernsey Food System Mapping project, has developed good partnerships with local food retailers allowing the Health Improvement Commission to better understand how the food system is accessing “nutritious and affordable food and explore opportunities for change locally to make it easier for all islanders to eat well.”
They have done this by doing qualitative focus groups with 31 participants from diverse backgrounds to understand and identify opportunities to make it easier to eat well. Also saying that four main themes emerged of availability, selling techniques, affordability, and resourcing.
The report also noted better data on infant and early years nutrition, through the HENRY group programme – Delivering the Healthy Exercise and Nutrition in the Really Young – empowering families with young children to make positive changes for a healthy start in their childrens lives.
Other key highlights includes ongoing scoping of a pilot adult weight management service, providing specialist and multi-disciplinary weight management support.
Ellie Gould, Healthier Weight Lead for the Health Improvement Commission, said: “This report captures the breadth of work that has been undertaken in 2024 towards supporting our community achieve better health. Thanks to colleagues at the Health Improvement Commission and Public Health for their dedication and contribution. Importantly, we wish to thank every individual, team and organisation who work alongside us to create change that supports the health of residents.”
