Written question WQ96026

We are actively addressing childhood obesity through our Healthy Weight: Healthy Wales strategy. The early years are a crucial stage of development that can affect the whole life course. The strategy sets out a wide range of cross-government commitments to support children, young people and families, including:

Programmes such as Healthy Child Wales and Flying Start support parents to provide the best start in life for children with advice on breastfeeding, developing healthy eating habits and active play.

Health boards are supported to expand and diversify weight management services with £2.9 million core funding. This includes developing services for children, young people and families. Our Healthy Weight Healthy Wales programme funds PIPYN, a pilot programme currently available in Cardiff, Merthyr and Anglesey, which is providing valuable insight on engaging families with childhood weight management support. PIPYN is also increasing the capacity of the pilot areas to support local families through a whole system approach.

Our schools play an important role in promoting healthy eating. Our Curriculum for Wales encourages children to develop the knowledge, skills and understanding to live healthy and active lives. Wales is the first UK nation to offer free school meals to all primary age children. We are currently reviewing the regulations and statutory guidance on school food in line with the latest nutritional guidelines.