Local authorities across the UK are calling for increased support from central government in their efforts to combat childhood obesity, with some councils highlighting that the current measures are insufficient in addressing the growing issue. One such authority, Gateshead Council, has taken bold steps in the past, but despite its efforts, the results remain underwhelming, prompting calls for more effective nationwide action.
Ten years ago, Gateshead Council implemented a controversial but pioneering ban on new hot food takeaways, aiming to tackle rising obesity rates in the borough. At the time, the Labour leadership under Martin Gannon described the decision as necessary, though challenging. The policy, which restricted the opening of new fast food outlets, was particularly focused on areas with high levels of deprivation and a high density of existing takeaway businesses.
While the approach seemed promising, recent statistics show that the overall childhood obesity rate in the borough has only decreased marginally since the ban was put in place. In 2015, 23% of 10- and 11-year-olds in Gateshead were obese, well above the national average of 19%. The council’s goal was to reduce that figure by half over the next decade, bringing the obesity rate down to 10%. However, despite some success in reducing obesity in the areas with the highest concentrations of takeaways, the borough wide impact has been minimal, with a reduction of just 0.5%.
Further complicating matters is the rise of “dark kitchens” food businesses that operate exclusively through home delivery platforms and do not have physical storefronts. These establishments have rapidly increased in number, and research shows that Gateshead is home to an alarming 116 dark kitchens in 2024, a far higher rate than nearby cities like Newcastle. The explosion of these businesses has created a loophole in the current food environment regulations, which were designed with traditional takeaway models in mind. Experts, including Professor Heather Brown from Lancaster University, have warned that the food environment is evolving faster than local governments can keep up with.
The COVID-19 pandemic only exacerbated these challenges. With restrictions on in-person dining, takeaway services surged, including delivery apps and dark kitchens that operated without the same constraints as physical restaurants. Gateshead’s Director of Public Health, Alice Wiseman, acknowledged that the policy was never expected to be a “silver bullet,” drawing parallels to the ongoing fight against tobacco. Every time a restriction was imposed to protect public health, industries found new ways to circumvent the rules.
Local leaders, however, remain determined to continue the fight. The council’s continued push for national measures to curb the advertising of ultra-processed foods is seen as a step in the right direction. Additionally, North East Mayor Kim McGuinness is backing Jamie Oliver’s “AdEnough” campaign, which advocates for an end to junk food marketing aimed at children. This initiative is gaining traction with nine UK mayors who have pledged to ban such advertising on public transport within their jurisdictions.
The national government has also taken note of the growing concern, with the Department for Health and Social Care emphasizing the long-term health risks posed by childhood obesity. The government has promised stronger powers for local authorities to block takeaway applications near schools and has indicated a broader shift towards preventive health measures. This includes plans to end junk food advertising across television and online platforms, which they argue will help combat the childhood obesity epidemic.
Despite these initiatives, experts agree that a more comprehensive approach is needed. As the food environment continues to shift with technological advancements and new business models, local authorities are calling for better tools and clearer guidelines to ensure that public health remains a top priority in the fight against childhood obesity.
