Influence Policy
At a local level, we work with over 30 local authorities across England to support them to exercise their responsibility in promoting healthy weight. Nationally, we lobby the Government to introduce further policy measures to help make the ‘healthy choice, the easy choice’ through consultations and inquiries. Our membership of key organisations such as the Obesity Health Alliance and the Children’s Food Campaign helps us to achieve this.
Key areas of work
To find out more about our key areas of work in this stream, please click on the relevant project.
What are we calling for?
Through consultation with the Food Active network, we have agreed to frame our lobbying and advocacy work around the areas below.
We are calling for action in the following areas:
Healthy weight in all policies and support measures to tackle obesity at local, regional and national levels
Greater and more effective local powers to influence healthy weight, including sustainable funding; a closing of the health inequality gap amongst our most disadvantaged communities through the targeting of services, funding and support
The use and expansion of the Soft Drinks Industry Levy to sugar sweetened milk and fruit juice drinks, to help change consumption behaviour of sugar-sweetened beverages
Tap water to be the default across the home environment, schools and out of home
The protection of children from the advertising and marketing of less healthy food and drink everywhere – this will cover TV, online, sports, outdoors and also marketing in supermarkets
Early years support and interventions to increase rates of breastfeeding, improve weaning practices to give children the best start
Support for those living in food insecurity/poverty to access and afford a healthier diet
Strategies to improve the out of home food environment, such as planning restrictions on takeaway density and nutritional labelling in restaurants and cafés
Measures to increase physical activity through active travel, specifically walking and cycling, and improved spatial planning measures e.g. 20mph zones.
Physical activity promoting settings, particularly workplaces and schools.
8-Point Policy Call for the North of England
At the Food Active Annual Conference 2021, we launched a set of 8 ambitious policies that focus specifically on healthy weight and inequalities in the North of England. Following engaging with stakeholders across the region, including local Authorities, NHS organisations, the voluntary and faith sectors, transport providers, business sector, local and regional media, academics and education settings to galvanise support, we will present these calls to Metro Mayors and political leaders across the North of England for their support.
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ABOUT US
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What we Do
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Policy Change
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Research
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