Fresh plans to tackle obesity in Guernsey

Obesity in Guernsey could be costing the island's heathcare system as much as £6.5m a year, health bosses said.

The figure, based on UK costs, is detailed in Guernsey's Healthier Weight Strategy 2023-2025.

The action plan aims to encourage healthy eating and physical activity, alongside weight management services.

A 2018 survey found that more than half of islanders (56%) were overweight, as were one in four Year 5 children in 2022.

The new health strategy extends the previous 2016-2023 plan by a further two years and brings it up to date with recent developments.

It acknowledged Public Health England research, suggesting obesity was now close to exceeding tobacco smoking as a cause of premature ill health and death in developed countries.

The Committee for Health and Social Care said making the strategy work would involve "collaboration across a range of States services" and "engagement with private and charitable bodies, community groups and the general public".

Ellie Gould, Healthier Weight Lead and dietician, said: "We want to create conditions in the Bailiwick that make healthier behaviours easier and empower people to make positive changes to their lives that will benefit their health and wellbeing.

"It is important too that people are provided with the right support services for them, at the times they need them, to enable them to move towards a healthier weight and improved health."

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