On Monday 6th February 2023, the Nottingham City Council public health team hosted a workshop to discuss the draft strategy for Eating and Moving for Good Health with partner organisations. More than 50 partners attended from a wide range of organisations across the public and voluntary sectors to give their input into the strategy.
Across Nottingham City there is a general recognition of the importance of eating well and keeping physically active. However, many issues still remain to be addressed with:
- 1 in 4 children are living with overweight or obesity, rising to 2 in 5 by secondary school
- 7 in 10 adults are living with overweight or obesity
- 1 in 4 of adults are inactive (less than 30 mins activity a week)
We know factors such as time, cost, individual choice, and willpower impact on people eating well or doing physical activity. But little is known in Nottingham city about healthy choices being available or accessible to everyone, particularly by those who live in our most disadvantaged communities.
The draft strategy was written in collaboration with others, but the workshop provided an opportunity for a range of partners to come together, view the work so far, and capture discussions to create honest, constructive feedback. A joint vision will be essential to the success of the strategy and improve the ways in which we eat and move. It also provided a valuable opportunity to check and challenge the delivery plan with organisations who work directly with citizens, ensuring the plan adequately addresses the inequalities that exist across our communities.
In addition, the event provided a welcome opportunity for face-to-face networking and the sharing of good practice across the healthy eating and physical activity world, with attendee Jen Nichol saying, “It was a really insightful afternoon and was fantastic to meet so many people from different sectors!”
The collation and analysis of the feedback from the event is in full swing, and there are some insightful themes emerging as this work progresses. We would like to say a big thank you to everyone who attended as your input will be so valuable when it comes to shaping the approach we take over the coming the years to improve the health of our citizens.
If you would like to be added to the Eating and Moving for Good Health mailing list, or have any questions about the strategy, please contact ruth.bell@nottinghamcity.gov.uk.
