Child obesity in Darlington: 'bad and getting worse'

The town is "only beyond Blackpool" in the number of takeaways per head, while children were being admitted to hospitals to have teeth taken out, a Darlington Borough Council meeting heard.

Health concerns were raised about the issue at a children and young people scrutiny committee meeting on Monday (September 5).

Councillors were told of a child health profile - "a snapshot of health and wellbeing" from Office of Health Improvement and Disparities (formerly Public Health England) for the area.

Councillor Matthew Snedker said: "Obesity in Year 6 is still very high, 22.5 percent."

Read more: More details on Darlington garden village plan

He pointed to poverty figures for under-16s in Darlington - 25.8 percent in absolute low income families, 28.5 percent in relative low income families - which was "bad and getting worse".

He added: "That is the very beginning of a poor healthy life.

"We already know the multiplying effect of growing up in poverty and how it has a long shadow over people's lives.

Cllr Matthew Snedker. Picture: Gareth Lightfoot.

"It will affect their attainment in school. I think that is probably the core reason we're struggling so much.

"All the good work done within public health has to counter the fact that over a quarter of children are growing up in a poor household."

Public health principal Ken Ross said figures on teenage pregnancy and smoking in pregnancy were reducing and immunisation coverage was very good.

"What we don't do so well is things like dental health. We've discovered we have a significant number of young people who are suffering tooth decay and extractions," he said.

Read more: Nightmare Darlington tenants could be evicted faster under new rules

He spoke of children's first teeth rotting, with 85 children under five admitted to hospital for extractions under general anaesthetic.

He added: "We also don't do so well in terms of the rate of obesity in children, particularly in Year 6, where we're significantly worse than the England average."

Councillor Cyndi Hughes said: "In obesity rates, we're still outliers. We're worse than the England average.

"The last time I looked and reported to council, we were only behind Blackpool for the number of fast food takeaways per head of population.

"Yet the director of public health doesn't seem to be making any recommendations or comments to our planning or licensing.

Cllr Cyndi Hughes. Picture: Stuart Boulton.

"I really would like some information and some assurance that we're actually taking this seriously."

Mr Ross said recommendations had been made to the council's cabinet about planning: "That's still ongoing."

He said work was being done about possible planning conditions on public health: "It's not a magic bullet but it's a step in the right direction.

"In terms of obesity, you're right. When you look at the impact of obesity on life chances of young people, it's essentially a malnutrition issue. They're not getting the nourishment they need to grow healthily and effectively."

Read more: Crook shop allowed to sell alcohol despite anti-social behaviour concerns

He said obesity disadvantaged children throughout school including speech and language development: "It is a significant problem.

"There is quite a bit of work going on. It's a whole systems approach.

"The child healthy weight plan was launched. That's now being reviewed after the impact of Covid. We've seen some significant impacts in terms of lack of physical activity and unhealthy eating."

He said the council had to work within national laws: "There's limitations placed on the director of public health's ability and level of influence they have in statute, the level of their intervention into planning."

He added they wanted to make Darlington a "less obesogenic" place: "There's a big cultural shift that needs to happen."

Read next:

• North East dental crisis: What to do if you need NHS treatment
• Darlington dentistry crisis: NHS officials respond to horror stories
• Darlington dental horror stories given to NHS as some wait 'months'

What do you think on this issue? Why not leave a comment on this story. Go to the top of this story and leave your thoughts. 

If you want to read more great stories, why not subscribe to your Northern Echo for as little as £1.25 a week. Click here.