'Food and Well Being' launch is first step to improve the nation's diet

Thursday 13 February 2003

System of integrated programmes, local and national policies identified to educate and prompt change in Wales.

Ref: W06/03KC

Approximately one third of deaths from heart disease and a quarter of deaths from cancer in the UK can be attributed to poor diet. The health of people living in Wales is consistently worse than for those living in England.

In addition to a life expectancy of two to three years less than the best in Europe, the people of Wales suffer from substantial inequalities in health, often as a result of bad dietary habits. Death rates are highest in areas experiencing the highest levels of social and economic deprivation, while other vulnerable groups find that issues beyond economic aspects - such as lack of access, age or ethnicity - can prevent the adoption of a healthy diet.

The first step towards redressing the balance will be made in Carmarthenshire today (Thursday) when Jane Hutt, Welsh Assembly Government Health and Social Services Minister launches a strategy to improve the health of the nation through diet. 'Food and Well Being 'Reducing Inequalities Through a Nutrition Strategy for Wales' will be launched at 12.30pm in the Glass House of the National Botanic Gardens, Llanarthne. The event coincides with the British Heart Foundation's Women's Heart Health Week activities.

Developed by the Food Standards Agency Wales in partnership with the Welsh Assembly Government and other key stakeholders, 'Food and Well Being' outlines the actions required by key players to improve the overall diet of people in Wales. It prioritises those groups who are particularly likely to suffer diet and health inequality. The main priority groups are low income and vulnerable consumers - including the elderly and ethnic minority groups - as well as infants, children and young people, middle aged men and women of childbearing age.

There are nine recommendations and associated actions, which advocate the use of a system of integrated national and local policies and programmes to educate, inform and eliminate barriers to change. Carrying these forward will be the responsibility of a wide range of organisations, working in partnership towards a common goal.

Speaking before the launch, Jane Hutt AM said: 'The Assembly's recent 'Well Being in Wales' consultation document makes explicit the links between health and well being and other policy areas, and sets out proposals for further action to reduce health inequalities, including action at a community level.

'My key priority for 'Food and Well Being' is to enable the achievement of a healthier diet for the whole of the population of Wales and to reduce food poverty and inequalities in health.'

Joy Whinney, Director for the Food Standards Agency Wales, sees the publication of 'Food and Wellbeing' as the first step towards safeguarding the future health of the people of Wales. Joy commented: 'In preparing this strategy, the FSA Wales has worked closely with a number of key organisations and individuals. Without their input, 'Food and Wellbeing' could not have been as well structured or balanced.

'We know that it will take a combined, concerted effort to make a difference to Welsh eating habits. That is why I welcome the sense of ownership by all parties involved. I look forward to seeing the key recommendations of the strategy taken forward by key organisations and professionals, and adopted by people throughout Wales.'

A PDF version of 'Food and Well Being - Reducing Inequalities through a Nutrition Strategy for Wales' is available from the link below. For more information see the Nutrition Strategy for Wales.

Further information is also available from the Food Standards Agency Wales on 029 20 678999 or via e-mail to nutritionstrategywales@foodstandards.gsi.gov.uk

Notes to editors

1. In April 2000, Jane Hutt AM asked the Food Standards Agency Wales to lead on the development of a nutrition strategy for Wales, working closely with the National Assembly for Wales and other key players.

2. Following a series of nutrition workshops and the establishment of a steering group to lead on the strategy's development, the Agency published its 'Nutrition Strategy for Wales consultation document' in July 2002. More than 1,000 copies were sent out to a range of organisations and many comments received were incorporated into the final 'Food and Well Being' document. Details of the consultation, and responses, are available on this website.

3. The nine recommendations outlined in 'Food and Wellbeing’ are:

To increase the uptake of a healthy balanced diet among the general population, and especially among identified priority groups, with an emphasis on tackling food equality priorities; to help ensure that nutrient and micronutrient levels meet recommended values;
To increase fruit and vegetable intake among the general population, and especially among the identified priority groups;
To develop and manage initiatives to prevent and manage overweight and obesity among the population;
To ensure that national schemes and policies are in place to assist improvements in healthy eating;
To provide information and training for key players, including policy decision makes, health professionals and other professionals, to tackle poor nutrition in Wales;
To ensure that the public is well informed about nutrition and the need for dietary improvement, especially those belonging to the identified priority groups;
To ensure that appropriate local initiatives are in place to tackle the main barriers to improving nutrition;
Develop and promote initiatives with the food industry to improve healthy eating, especially initiatives to access to specific foods; and
To evaluate the impact of activities resulting from the strategy.

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'Food and Well Being' launch is first step to improve the nation's diet

System of integrated programmes, local and national policies identified to educate and prompt change in Wales.

Notes to editors

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