Did you Know?

• If nothing is done to tackle childhood obesity then this may mean that today’s children have a shorter life expectancy than their parents?

• Obesity through life reduces life expectancy on average by 9 years?

• Figures from 2003 show nearly 25% of people to be obese and if no action is taken then it is estimated that a third of all girls and one-fifth of boys will be obese by 2020?

• 45% of all children do not go to their nearest school and where the distance to school is over 600 metres then the preferred method of transport is the car. Many children are therefore missing out on regular exercise and it is this type of activity that will help combat obesity.

• The Authority welcomed and introduced the 'School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme' in November 2004 whereby nearly all primary schools now offer pupils under the age of 6 a free piece of fruit or vegetable on every school day?