A new alliance dedicated to combating the rise of obesity in Haringey has been formed by a wide range of partners including Haringey Council, the local NHS, Homes for Haringey the Tottenham Hotspur Foundation, and local schools. The new partnership - the Haringey Obesity Alliance – sees organisations and individuals from a range of different backgrounds teaming up to help make Haringey a healthier place where fewer people are obese.
Worldwide obesity has more than doubled since 1980 and Haringey is no exception to this problem. Over half of all adults and one in three 10 and 11 year olds living in the borough are now classed as obese or overweight.
The alliance is committed to reducing obesity in Haringey by supporting more people to eat well and be physically active, and by creating an environment where the healthiest choice is the easiest choice.
To help achieve this goal, members of the alliance have each pledged to take positive action to encourage healthier living in Haringey.
Haringey Council has pledged to work with Homes for Haringey to review all “no ball game signs” in the borough and remove them where they are impeding children’s play.
And later this summer, the Tottenham Hotspur Foundation will be launching “Shape up with Spurs”, a 10-week sport and weight management programme supporting people who are overweight or obese in the east of Haringey to live healthier lifestyles.
Cllr Peter Morton, Haringey Council’s Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing and Chair of the Haringey Obesity Alliance, said:
“We know that the obesity problem in Haringey cannot be solved by any one agency or organisation acting alone, instead it demands close cooperation between partners in health, education, local government, business, the voluntary sector and the wider community. That’s why I’m delighted to announce the launch of the Haringey Obesity Alliance.
Working together I’m sure we will make great progress in reversing the rise of obesity, by encouraging healthier eating, increasing and sustaining people’s participation in sport and leisure activities, and creating a culture that makes positive lifestyle changes easier.”
Grant Cornwell, Chief Executive of the Tottenham Hotspur Foundation said:
“Tottenham Hotspur Foundation is committed to using the unique appeal of the football club and the example of our players to encourage healthier lifestyles for people of all ages within our local community.
“The Foundation has a proven track record in delivering innovative health projects within the borough of Haringey, including the delivery of over 2,000 Community Health Checks at various public venues over the past year, and is constantly striving to address some of the serious health issues that exist within our society.
“We are therefore delighted to form part of the Haringey Obesity Alliance and to offer our expertise through the ‘Shape Up With Spurs’ programme.”
On Thursday members of the Haringey Obesity Alliance will be hosting a conference on obesity at the Tottenham University Technical College - bringing together partners in health, education, local government, business, the voluntary sector and the wider community to drive forward plans to make Haringey a healthier place to live, work and visit.
