CHILDHOOD obesity is the main issue that needs to be tackled to improve health in the district, it is claimed.

Bradford Council leader Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe says it is vital more is done to get youngsters living healthier lifestyles.

Latest figures show that healthy life expectancy in the Bradford district has decreased.

And 21 areas of health and wellbeing have been flagged as ‘red’.

Speaking at a meeting of the council’s health and social care scrutiny committee, Cllr Hinchcliffe said: “Children grow-up very quickly and every year that goes by without tackling the problem is a year lost.

“There is work to be done and areas to improve.

“We have Born in Bradford working on issues like this and in recent years we have also looked at planning regulations to prevent takeaways opening around schools and parks.

“All these are poverty issues, that is why it is so important we improve our economy.”

Bradford Council has a policy to prevent takeaway premises from opening within 400 metres of a school or other area that might attract young people, like a play area or leisure centre.

She said pressure on schools to meet education targets meant many were reducing sport and culture, which made a big difference to young people’s physical and mental wellbeing.

Bradford’s bid for 2025 Capital of Culture status could help turn things around, she told members.

She said: “Culture and sport is important, but they aren’t as present in the educational system as they used to be.

“Schools can get so worried about meeting education standards they feel they don’t have time for activities like this.

“That is why the Capital of Culture bid is important as it will help increase the amount of cultural activities young people take part in. It will provide children with confidence and skills. We know access to the arts improves people’s mental health.”

She said that in many areas the council was limited in what it could achieve, adding: “There are national bodies that have a lot more influence over what happens in Bradford than I do.”

She referred to the Daily Mile as one scheme that can help improve young people’s health.

A number of schools in the district encourage their pupils to run or walk a mile on school grounds each day.

Cllr Hinchcliffe said she would like to see all primary schools across the district do this or a similar activity. She added: “It can be any physical activity – it just needs to be part of the daily routine. We don’t control all schools, but we would like to see these activities happen.”

Cllr Hinchcliffe said she sees most of Bradford district’s regeneration projects as ultimately being efforts to improve the health and wellbeing of residents. She added: “If we get more investment and more jobs, there will be less poverty and people will be able to live healthier lives.”

Keighley West councillor Paul Godwin pointed out that many people in his ward felt they did not have safe places where they could get out and exercise, such as woodland or parks.

Sarah Muckle, director of public health, said work was being done with the planning department to create new public outdoor areas or improve access to existing ones.