From evidence into action - Using the planning system to promote healthy weight environments

Andy Netherton, Michael Chang*

*Corresponding author for this work

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    2 Citations (Scopus)
    Original languageEnglish
    Article number100007
    JournalPublic Health in Practice
    Volume1
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Nov 2020

    Bibliographical note

    Funding Information:
    A healthy weight environment can support people with healthier food and drink options and opportunities to increase their physical activity through the way a place is designed and the variety of uses provided. To further encourage and support local authorities Public Health England has published guidance to provide strategic information on the use of the planning system to promote local healthy weight environments, in particular to focus on the healthier food and active environments. PHE has provided a template ‘Healthy Weight Environments Supplementary Planning document’ which can be used as a starting point for local public health teams to liaise with planning officers and other local authority teams, including environmental health, licensing, transport, and leisure. This guidance provides practical support to those local authorities looking to develop policies and approaches to promote a healthy weight environment. While this publication is set in the English context, its principles and approach can be replicated and adapted in other settings.In summary actions to promote a healthy weight environment must form part of a wider, long term systems approach to promoting a healthier weight in the local area, which can be supported by PHE guidance on whole systems approach to obesity [7]. Other examples of integrated place-based approaches include the NHS England Healthy New Towns [8] and the Childhood Obesity Trailblazers [9] programmes.

    Keywords

    • Healthy urban planning
    • Obesity

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