A report, ‘Hungry for Change: Tackling Obesity and Food Insecurity in the North of England’ published on 8th July by Health Equity North on behalf of the Child of the North All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG), has revealed that food insecurity levels are significantly higher amongst households with children aged 0-3 in the North (30%) compared to households with young children in the South, including London (23%).

Communities in the North are more exposed to fast food outlets, with 69.9% of people living within one kilometre of their nearest fast food outlet, with each individual an average of 676m away. This figure was 7.4% higher than in the South of England (62.5%), however this difference rises to 15.7% higher when London is excluded

The highest prevalence of childhood obesity is in the North East at 24.5% compared to 19.1% in the South West.

Although children all across the UK need support to live healthier lives, this report highlights the need for further investment in the north.

Recommendations are:

1.  Recognise and address poverty as a root cause of childhood obesity

2. Strengthen social welfare support: 

3. Expand access to nutritious food

4. Promote physical activity in deprived areas

5. Restrict fast food outlet expansion in high-risk areas

6. Introduce universal free school meals

7. Reinvest in early years services

8. Strengthen the Healthy Start Scheme 

9. Ensure fair rollout of new nutrition guidance

10. Appoint an existing or dedicated Minister to have Early Years Food and Health as part of their role

11. Acknowledge and further understanding of an alternative food system 

The full report can be found here: https://www.healthequitynorth.co.uk/app/uploads/COTN-APPG-2025-EMBARGOED.pdf