The three leaders of South Gloucestershire’s political groups signed the ‘Why Weight? pledge for creating healthier places together’ during the council’s June Cabinet meeting.
The commitment presents a unique opportunity for South Gloucestershire Council to work with partners across the Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire (BNSSG) health and care system to improve the health and wellbeing of our communities.
The pledge outlines ten commitments to create an environment where everyone has the opportunity to eat well, feel well and be active. These are grouped into five core themes – ‘connecting and collaborating’, ‘considerate communication’, ‘creating healthier places’, ‘community led’ and ‘continue to learn’.
The pledge acknowledges that oversimplification of the causes of unhealthy weight leads to weight stigma, which harms mental and physical health. It recognises the many factors that can impact health and brings together organisations to focus on reducing inequalities and improve outcomes for residents.
Delivering actions set out by the pledge will help the council create more supportive environments for residents, especially those most affected by health inequalities.
Councillor Alison Evans, cabinet member responsible for Public Health at South Gloucestershire Council, said: “Signing this pledge will help us to build on the great work already happening in the region, including our healthy weight programme as well as a range of other initiatives aimed at supporting people to maintain and achieve a healthier weight.
“Not everyone has equal access to the conditions needed to eat well, feel well and be active. This can contribute to widening of health inequalities.
“The pledge marks an important step forward for South Gloucestershire in recognising and addressing some of the health inequalities that exist in our region and working towards helping our residents to live healthy, happy lives.”
You can read the pledge here: Why Weight? Pledge for creating Healthier places Together – BNSSG Healthier Together
