“Reducing the rate of increase in obesity among children under 11 as a first step towards a long-term national ambition by 2020 to reduce the proportion of overweight and obese children to 2000 levels in the context of tackling obesity across the population.” 
(Treasury Office 2007 )

 HM Treasury. PSA Delivery Agreement 12: Improve the health and wellbeing of children and young people.  HM Stationery Office. October 2007.  

Carnegie Weight Management approaches for Public Sector Organisations 

Levels of childhood obesity continue to increase despite being highlighted as a public health priority within both the education sector via ‘Every Child Matters Programme’ and the Government’s joint departmental ‘Public Service Agreement on Childhood Obesity’ and most recently, the cross Governmental strategy entitled ‘Healthy Weight; Healthy Lives’.

Preventative efforts for tackling obesity have been in place for several years, however, evidence of their positive impact on weight gain in not available (Foresight 2007 ). In addition, there is a severe lack of treatment provision in this area within the public sector. This is attributable to difficulty in identification of children, which influences referral to programmes, however this is compounded by a lack of awareness and access for the programmes that exist. Furthermore, there are poor mechanisms for service delivery, evaluation of current initiatives and limited funding to support weight management. In conclusion, there are currently no mainstream services for the one in three children who are already overweight or obese.

In light of this, the NHS is currently failing the overweight and obese population on all four of the objectives outlined in the Darzi review  to offer a service that is fair, personalised, effective and safe. However, by providing treatment and services for this neglected population, the NHS would be satisfying all eight areas of care included within the report, particularly: Children’s Health, Staying Healthy and Long Term Conditions.

Carnegie Weight Management (CWM) is the longest running programme for the treatment of overweight and obese children in Europe.  Moreover, Professor Paul Gately, technical director for CWM, has over eighteen years research experience in the field. This leading and award winning organisation has developed a range of holistic and evidence based treatment programmes that adhere to NICE guidance as a minimum to support public sector organisations to successfully tackle childhood obesity. These services include:

Direct delivery by CWM:

In the form of a unique range of needs based treatment programmes:

1. Residential camps: Intensive treatment for obese children. 
2. Community camps: Day camps aimed at children who are moderately obese.
3. Community clubs: After school/weekend clubs for mildly obese/overweight children.
4. Website: A supportive medium for all children that access the programmes, as well as others who are unable to access the face to face programmes. 

This service provision ensures an effective Care Pathway for children at every stage of their weight management journey.

Building Capacity and Capability within public health partners:

In the form of Obesity Care Pathway Development. CWM’s Community Camps and Clubs would be administered and delivered through public health partners as a form of outreach to this population. CWM would provide the licence and all resources to deliver these programmes and supply specialist trainers to train staff to implement and manage the programmes effectively. In addition, CWM would support each programme with an appropriate communications plan including building awareness in local areas and ongoing evaluation. 

Foresight Report

Carnegie Weight Management was recently recognised as a model of good practice in the Government Foresight report on Obesity. This is an important statement about our work and we are delighted to be highlighted within this groundbreaking report.

http://www.foresight.gov.uk/Obesity/obesity_final/Index.html