Liverpool face ‘obesity timebomb’ as leaders consider pack tax

Liverpool is facing an obesity ‘time bomb’ as city leaders consider a ‘package tax’.

Earlier this year, a landmark report by Professor Matt Ashton, Director of Public Health, outlined the direction of travel for Liverpool’s health over the next two decades. Among the key figures were the city’s challenges with excess weight, particularly among young people.

Discussing how the problems can be tackled, Dr Senthil Senniappan, consultant endocrinologist at Alder Hey, urged all parties at the city’s health and wellbeing board to ensure they play a part in healthier lifestyles for children.

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Professor Ashton’s report in January said compared to England, the rates of overweight children (overweight and obesity combined) in Liverpool were significantly higher and growing at a faster rate. In 2022/2023 there were 1,375 4-5 year olds and 2,205 10-11 year olds who were overweight.

Of these, 645 children in reception and 1,445 children in Year 6 were obese. Obesity doubles in children in Liverpool between reception and year 6, rising from 12.2% of children to 28.1% of children.

The prevalence of overweight children is 1.4 times higher in the most deprived areas of the city compared to the least deprived areas. In Liverpool, the proportion of Reception children predicted to be overweight or obese by 2040 is 34.9%, compared to 46.9% in Year 6.

Dr Senniappan, who runs the Complications of Excess Weight (CEW) clinic, said 73% of patients come from the most deprived backgrounds, while more than 50% experience learning difficulties or mental health problems . Currently, 60 young people are on the waiting list for treatment, with an average age of 14.

He said: “It’s a huge ticking time bomb. Everyone should play their part.”

The data, presented by Melisa Campbell, Liverpool’s associate director of public health, identified how the city is home to one in three of the world’s most deprived food deserts – locations where access to nutritious and affordable food is limited. The city’s obesity crisis has been exacerbated by easy access to fast food.

Ms Campbell’s presentation showed the average distance to a fast food outlet is just one kilometre, compared to 2.6km nationally and 1.2km in other central cities. Among the city’s grocery stores, takeout accounts for almost 30%.

The director acknowledged that weight issues, particularly among young people, were “a difficult issue to tackle” but warned of the stigma attached to such a problem. She said Professor Ashton’s report was a “wake-up call for us all” but warned there was “no silver bullet” at hand to radically change course, stressing the need to consider high street policy with see the condensation of food consumption in disadvantaged areas. .

The council was also told how the problem extends to adults in the town. Professor Ashton’s research found that in 2021/22, one in four (24.8%) adults were physically inactive and 65.3% were overweight or obese, the third highest among central cities.

Currently, one in three adults are food insecure, while one in two do not eat five servings of fruit and vegetables a day.

Cllr Liam Robinson, leader of Liverpool Council, said he would be keen to look at a ‘packaging tax’ – an increased rate of VAT on hot food – and suggested lobbying major supermarket chains to introduce free slots to encourage more people. to have access to healthy choices. He said that while many in more disadvantaged communities may want to shop better, they may be put off by high delivery charges.

Professor Ashton said: “Obesity is a complex problem with complex causes and solutions. We have to take this seriously.

“The cost of intervention is high and the need is greater. If ever there was an argument for early intervention, this is it.

“A whole system response is needed. We have to work hard to make sure that everyone sees this as a responsibility.”

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