New health and wellbeing service for youngsters

YOUNGSTERS at schools, youth groups and community groups across the Frodsham and Helsby areas will benefit from a new health and wellbeing service.
The service, launched this month by the public health team at Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWC), it is specifically aims at youngsters in the 5-19 age range. It will tackle key issues ranging from weight management, smoking, alcohol, exercise and drug abuse to exploitation and improved attainment and absenteeism.
Cheshire and Wirral NHS Partnership Trust will provide the service will involve a range of partners and will work through schools, youth clubs and community groups.
In 2012-13 just under one quarter (24 per cent) of the borough’s children in their school reception year, were an “unhealthy” weight. Almost nine per cent of that total were classed as obese. In the same period just under one third of West Cheshire children in their final year at junior school were an unhealthy weight – with almost 18 per cent classed as obese.
Fiona Reynolds, interim director of public health at CWC, said: “Excess weight and obesity in children often leads to excess weight in adults and this is recognised as a major cause of mortality and ill health.”
Similarly worrying figures apply to walking and cycling – two activities with major benefits for general health and climate change. Only 28 per centof CWC adults are physically fit based on the advised 150 minutes of physical activity a week and it is estimated that around 140,000 people in West Cheshire – around 55 per cent – are completely inactive.
Ms Reynolds said: “If one third of car journeys under five miles were transferred to walking or cycling, it would save as many lives as all the other heart disease prevention measures put together.”
Top 10 priorities listed in the manifesto of the North West Directors of Public Health include:- A television ban on the marketing of foods high in fat, sugar and salt before 9pm and a requirement on all schools to provide a minimum of one hour of physical activity, in line with UK guidelines for 5 to 18-years-olds. More encouraging news is that last year 5,646 residents attended the NHS free Health Check – a remarkable 75 per cent increase on the previous year. The screening programme for those in the 40/74-years-old age group aims to prevent major health problems through early intervention with GPs delivering free health checks paid for by CWC.
With 2,100 people in West Cheshire with a registered diagnosis of dementia, one of the greatest challenges faced by an ageing population is being met with an increase in “Dementia –Friendly Communities” and champions in the borough.
A West Cheshire Dementia Action Alliance has been formed, bringing together organisations, businesses and individuals working to support and improve quality of life for those coping with the disease.