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Diet and Nutrition

Summary Points
  • Within Merthyr Tydfil, 38.3 % of adults said they ate the recommended levels of fruit and vegetables compared to the Wales average of 40% [Welsh Health Survey 2003-05]
  • Within Merthyr Tydfil 57.7% of adults reported being overweight or obese compared to the Wales average of 54.1%

Food not only provides us with nutrition but has a major social role and provides employment (directly or indirectly) for a large percentage of the community.  It is accepted that food and health are strongly linked. A poor diet is one of the causes of ill health and premature death.

 

A varied and balanced diet providing sufficient energy and an adequate supply of essential nutrients enhances health and fitness.  In contrast, a poor diet predisposes to a variety of serious illnesses, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, some cancers, a poorer quality of life and is a  factor in many premature deaths.  Changing our dietary habits for the better, alongside an improvement in our activity levels, would have a major impact in reducing rates of  chronic diseases.

 

 

Within Merthyr Tydfil, 38.3 % of adults were found to be eating the recommended levels of fruit and vegetables the previous day. There is little data available for other dietary aspects.

 

Within Merthyr Tydfil 57.7% of adults reported being overweight or obese compared to the Wales average of 54.1%

 

The Merthyr Tydfil Health, Social Care and Well-being Strategy 2005-2008 called for the development and implementation of a multi-agency strategy and action plan tackling nutrition.

 

To aid this process the Merthyr Tydfil Nutrition Forum was formed in February 2007. Its aim is to provide a strong framework for collaborative, multi organisational working to ensure a co-ordinated, wide ranging approach to all aspects of nutrition, with the ultimate aim of improving the dietary intake of the local population and reducing levels of obesity throughout the Borough. 

 

 

In response to the priority groups identified during the strategy development day the action plan has been divided into three main sections

  • Children 0-4 years old
  • Children and Young People 5-25 years old
  • Adults and Older People

 

Sections have been further sub-divided to fit under the recommendations laid down in the nutrition strategy for Wales, Food and Wellbeing (2003)

The Action Plan is very much anticipated as a working document which will be reviewed, updated and evaluated on a 4 monthly basis.

 

 

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