Exercise drive targets nine towns and cities
November 15th 2008
The nine areas with high levels of obesity that are to be designated “healthy towns” as part of the Change4Lifecampaign have been revealed.
£30m has been allocated to Dudley, Halifax, Sheffield, Thetford, Middlesbrough, Manchester, Tewkesbury, Portsmouth and Tower Hamlets in London. The NHS and local authorities in these areas will use commercial marketing techniques to reward people who adopt healthier lifestyles. In Manchester,where 22.8% of children are obese by the time they enter secondary school, people will earn rewards for taking part in regular exercise. People taking part in the scheme will be invited to carry an electronic tag when they exercise and the equipment will award points for the number of calories burned. Sheffield, which has the highest levels of adult obesity in England, wants local people to carry out neighbourhood audits to identify barriers to safe walking, cycling and active play.
(Guardian,p13; Telegraph p10,Mailp1&p4;Expressp8)
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