Has Leeds solved the problem of obesity?

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Obesity in children is a major problem. But now, we learn that a city – Leeds – has progressed.

Figures presented at the European Congress on Obesity suggest that Leeds has been successful in reducing the number of extremely overweight children.

The data showed that there had been a 6.4% drop in obesity rates in recent years.

How is it important?

A 6.4% drop may seem minimal – but since obesity rates have stubbornly resisted any attempt to alter them, Leeds's efforts are widely touted.

The data – compiled from the official school measurement program – showed that 8.8% of 4- to 5-year-olds in the city had been registered as obese in the last five years. This compares to 9.4% from 2009 to 2013.

And this was judged statistically significant by experts.

But what is particularly impressive is the fact that the largest falls were recorded in the most disadvantaged areas.

Rates of obesity have decreased by almost 9% in these neighborhoods.

How did Leeds do it?

The people involved in the Leeds project highlight the work done with preschool children.

The city council developed a decade ago strategy on childhood obesity that made this age group a top priority.

Staff working with preschool children, including child center workers and health visitors, has been trained to promote healthy eating.

In addition, parenting classes encouraged healthy snacks, family meals and the importance of cooking nutritious meals from scratch.

The council has also taken other measures. Much emphasis was placed on making children active through dance, while there was an active local campaign to encourage families to reduce their sugar intake.

What did parents learn?

The work with parents was done in partnership with a charitable organization called Henry, which runs programs across the country.

In Leeds, eight-week courses have been offered to parents.

Henry's general manager, Kim Roberts, explains that they focus on some key messages.

She says that it is important to give children a choice. "Give them a choice of peas or carrots and let them decide," she adds.

Parents are encouraged to set a good example by eating healthy as well.

Belinda Mold and her daughter are among the beneficiaries.

At the age of three, he only ate beans, sausages and mashed potatoes, but he now prefers a range of fruits and vegetables ranging from mangos and strawberries to cucumber and corn.

"Her favorite is broccoli, she can eat a lot," says Belinda.

Should other regions copy Leeds?

Although progress has been impressive, Leeds has not experienced similar changes in older children.

The school-based measurement program also covers students at the end of their primary cycle – children aged 10 and 11.

And obesity rates for this age group have remained stable.

What is also true is that other places have also witnessed slight weaknesses in the battle against the bulge.

Public Health England is working with regions such as Luton, London's Lewisham and Tower Hamlets and Stockton-on-Tees to see what can be learned.

They have all seen progress in reducing obesity rates, whether it is older or younger children.

So what can we learn from the Leeds experience?

Professor Susan Jebb of Oxford University, who helped analyze the numbers, explains that the bottom line is that they give hope.

"It's sometimes too easy to think that nothing works, it shows that something can be done," she says.

"What we need to do now is understand exactly why Leeds has seen the progress and also look at the experience in other areas.

"They could hold the key to fighting childhood obesity"

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