The Great Weight Debate

We asked

We asked for your views on childhood obesity.

You said

In total there were 160 survey responses from Barnet residents. The availability of cheap unhealthy food was the primary concern across all London boroughs including Barnet. Secondary concerns for respondents from Barnet were the quantity of fast food shops, food advertising, and the time and skills required for healthy food preparation. 65% of Barnet participants felt that the availability of cheap unhealthy food and drink was a main contributing factor to unhealthy lifestyles. Respondents from Barnet felt that a more effective intervention would target the availability of unhealthy food & drinks overall, rather than fast-food shops alone. Compared to healthy eating concerns, participants across London felt that there were already interventions in place to help children be physically active. Only 12% of Barnet respondents were unaware of opportunities in their area - an insignificant difference from the London average.

We did:

Information gathered from this debate and debates across other boroughs in London will provide a picture of Londoners' opinions on how to best shape interventions on tackling the childhood obesity epidemic. The views and ideas put forward will be used to inform the next stage of the debate with Healthy London Partnership which will work towards making tangible changes at a community and London-wide level. In addition the information gathered will help the Barnet Public Health team to develop a strategy to meet the obesity related needs of children and young people living in Barnet.