A report, ‘Hungry for Change: Tackling Obesity and Food Insecurity in the North of England’ published on 8th July by Health Equity North on behalf of the Child of the North All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG), has revealed that food insecurity levels are significantly higher amongst households with children aged 0-3 in the North (30%) compared to households with young children in the South, including London (23%).

Communities in the North are more exposed to fast food outlets, with 69.9% of people living within one kilometre of their nearest fast food outlet, with each individual an average of 676m away. This figure was 7.4% higher than in the South of England (62.5%), however this difference rises to 15.7% higher when London is excluded

The highest prevalence of childhood obesity is in the North East at 24.5% compared to 19.1% in the South West.

Although children all across the UK need support to live healthier lives, this report highlights the need for further investment in the north.

Recommendations are:

• Recognise and address poverty as a root cause of childhood obesity
• Strengthen social welfare support:
• Expand access to nutritious food
• Promote physical activity in deprived areas
• Restrict fast food outlet expansion in high-risk areas
• Introduce universal free school meals
• Reinvest in early years services
• Strengthen the Healthy Start Scheme
• Ensure fair rollout of new nutrition guidance
• Appoint an existing or dedicated Minister to have Early Years Food and Health as part of their role
• Acknowledge and further understanding of an alternative food system