BDA Press Centre
11 August 2010
BDA welcomes the all Wales Obesity Pathway but calls on health boards to ensure its implementation
The British Dietetic Association (BDA) warmly welcomes the All Wales Obesity Pathway, which the Minister for Health and Social Services, Edwina Hart has asked Health Boards and Local Authorities to action.
The aim of the All Wales Obesity Pathway, which the BDA has lobbied for and provided information towards, is to bring together public services and the numerous partners and agencies in Wales to tackle head-on the growing trend of obesity among children and adults alike throughout Wales.
Speaking about the launch, the Chair of the BDA Welsh Board, Sian Burton, said:
“The BDA in Wales has called for an obesity strategy for a long while and we have worked hard, not only with the Minister for Health & Social Services, but with key partners across Wales. While I fully welcome the launch of the All Wales Obesity Pathway, the work has only just started!
“This is a golden opportunity for Wales to lead the way in facing this growing problem head on and I would urge all Health Boards in Wales to make public their plans as soon as possible.
“The BDA is of the clear mind that dietitians will be key to the success of the Pathway. After all, what people eat has a major impact on this problem. Welsh Health Boards should fully acknowledge the role that dietitians should have with this Pathway and use their professional expertise at all levels. Indeed, the Welsh Assembly Government’s Dietetic Grant Scheme has supported a number of new dietetic-led initiatives in Wales that has seen real positive results.
“The All Wales Obesity Pathway is very good news for Wales. I warmly welcome this move.”
Mrs Hart, Minister for Health & Social Services, added:
"I am committed to continuously improving the health and wellbeing of the population of Wales. We need to address the increasing levels of obesity in Wales to prevent thousands of adults and children facing deteriorating health and a lower quality of life, and Government facing spiralling health and social care costs.
"A true multi-agency approach is the key to tackling obesity. Health Boards, Local Authorities and their partners need to work closely together to tackle the challenge of rising levels of overweight and obesity in line with this Pathway. This will include a wide variety of professions, even including town and transport planners and architects who can have a major influence on making the built environment conducive to physical activity.
"I look forward to seeing the results of the mapping exercise."
ENDS
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Notes to the Editor:
- The British Dietetic Association, founded in 1936, is the professional association for registered dietitians in Great Britain and Northern Ireland. It is the nation’s largest organisation of food and nutrition professionals with over 6,000 members.
- Registered dietitians are the only qualified health professionals that assess, diagnose and treat diet and nutrition problems at an individual and wider public health level. Uniquely, dietitians use the most up to date public health and scientific research on food, health and disease, which they translate into practical guidance to enable people to make appropriate lifestyle and food choices.
- Dietitians are the only nutrition professionals to be statutorily regulated, and governed by an ethical code, to ensure that they always work to the highest standard. Dietitians work in the NHS, private practice, industry, education, research, sport, media, public relations, publishing, Non Government Organisations and government. Their advice influences food and health policy across the spectrum from government, local communities and individuals.