Knowsley Unveils New Plan To Help More Children Live Healthier Lives

Knowsley Council is continuing its efforts to tackle childhood obesity through a wide-ranging programme of support designed to help children and families make healthier choices from the earliest years.

A new report presented to the Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee highlights both the progress already being made and the challenges that remain.

While childhood obesity rates in Knowsley are still among the highest in England, the gap between the borough and the national average is beginning to narrow.

Healthier Weight Strategy aims to give children the best start

Latest figures show that 29.7% of Reception-aged children and 43.3% of Year 6 pupils in Knowsley are either overweight or living with obesity.

The report highlights that children growing up in more deprived communities are disproportionately affected, with factors including the affordability of healthy food, the local food environment and access to physical activity all contributing to poorer health outcomes.

To address these issues, Knowsley Council and its partners are delivering the Healthier Weight Strategy 2025–2030. The long-term plan aims to ensure more children start school at a healthy weight while reducing the number leaving primary school living with obesity.

Schools and families supported to make healthier choices

A number of initiatives are already helping to deliver the strategy across the borough.

Every primary school in Knowsley is now taking part in the Healthy Schools Programme, encouraging healthier school meals, increased physical activity and better food choices.

Families are also receiving enhanced support through breastfeeding services, school nursing teams and the Healthy Futures Knowsley programme, which provides practical guidance on healthy eating, exercise and improving sleep habits.

Alongside this, work continues to improve access to affordable healthy food, create more opportunities for people to be physically active and tackle the wider inequalities that can have a lasting impact on children’s health.

Although the majority of children in Knowsley are a healthy weight, the report concludes that continued partnership working and early intervention will be essential to helping more young people grow up healthier, happier and ready to thrive.