To ask the Minister of Health to detail any actions being taken to (i) reduce obesity; and (ii) improve dietary health among young people, particularly in relation to regular consumption of fast food.

The new Healthy Futures strategic framework has been developed to enhance obesity prevention efforts, informed by research and stakeholder consultations. This framework emphasises a whole system approach, targeting specific groups and addressing health inequalities. It aims to prevent and manage obesity through education, treatment services, and a person-centred approach.

The Public Health Agency (PHA) works across departments and agencies to improve young people's understanding of nutrition and healthy cooking through nutrition training and education programmes such as ‘Nutrition matters for the early years.’ A range of community-based nutrition education programmes, such as ‘Cook It!’, ‘Food Values’ and ‘Food and Health Essentials’ are commissioned to increase knowledge and understanding of healthy eating and develop cooking skills, building both confidence and competence.

The PHA also commissions an Early Years Obesity Prevention Programme which provides obesity prevention training to Health and Social Care Trusts and SureStart staff across Northern Ireland.

The Department of Education chairs a cross-departmental ‘Food in Schools’ forum which provides strategic leadership and guidance on the joint Northern Ireland Food in Schools policy, nutritional standards for school meals and supports the inclusion of nutrition in the school curriculum. Officials from my Department, PHA, the Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, and the FSA, alongside other stakeholders, work together as members of this Forum. My Department, through the PHA, and the Department of Education jointly fund a Food In Schools coordinator to carry out a programme of work to support schools to create a healthy food environment. The PHA works closely with DE through the Food in Schools Forum to implement the ‘Health Food for Healthy Outcomes’ policy.

The Active School Travel Programme is jointly funded by PHA and DfI and has delivered an increase on the number of children completing physical activity for at least 60 minutes each day from 25% at baseline (Autumn/Winter 2023) to 35% after one academic year of engagement (2024/2025).