Change4Life will work to tackle the UK’s growing obesity problem.

The UK Department of Health has unveiled plans for five new ‘healthy towns’ to share £30 million to be invested in improving residents’ eating and exercise habits.

The move marks the first stage of Change4Life, a drive aimed at helping ‘every family in England to eat well, move more and live longer’.

It is hoped it will help to curb the UK’s growing obesity problem – according to a government report, the condition kills 9,000 people each year and it is anticipated that half of Britons could be obese by 2050.

The ‘healthy towns’ selected are Dudley, Halifax (Calderdale), Sheffield, Tower Hamlets, Thetford, Middlesbrough, Manchester, Tewkesbury and Portsmouth.

Their share of the £30 million pot will be used to help residents live healthily through a holistic approach aimed at promoting physical activity.

Initiatives will include the introduction of a Points4Life loyalty scheme in Manchester which will reward people with free activities or healthy food when they exercise; a ‘Cycle Recycle’ project in Thetford to encourage people to cycle more and maintain their bikes; and a new ‘urban garden’ in Tewkesbury which will help residents to keep fit and rebuild green spaces in the wake of the 2007 floods.

Other schemes include a ‘Let’s Go Outside’ project in Dudley aimed at transforming parks and play areas into family health hubs; and urban farms and junior health trainer programmes in Middlesbrough.

Health Secretary, Alan Johnson, said: For the first time we’ve given nine areas ‘Healthy Town’ status. This means they must promote healthy living. Each town has come up with innovative ways – such as a loyalty schemes or cycling projects – to help their residents to be more active. ‘Healthy Towns’ is just the start. Our aim is to create a healthy England.”

For more information, visit: www.nhs.uk/Change4Life

By Natasha Piscitelli