Reducing Childhood Obesity On 19 October 2015 the Government announced a package of initiatives to prevent and manage obesity in children and young people up to 18 years. The package includes: targeted interventions for those who are obese, increased support for those at risk of becoming obese, and broad approaches to make healthier choices easier for all New Zealanders The package is supported by a new national health target for childhood obesity.

2016/17 National Health Target By December 2017, 95 percent of obese children identified in the Before School Check (B4SC) programme will be offered a referral to a health professional for clinical assessment and family based nutrition, activity and lifestyle interventions.

2016/17 Annual Planning Objectives Overall, APs will demonstrate how the DHBs will: achieve the childhood obesity health target by December 2017 ensure activities support priority populations ensure activities link to the wider outcomes to improve health for all support relevant local initiatives, such as with local government, businesses, schools, iwi, NGOs, and others link activities to WellChild Tamariki Ora Quality Indicators support professional development of Well Child and primary care workforce and proactively share learnings ensure Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Management Guidelines are translated into business as usual introduce or improve upon the referral pathway for those women with or at risk of GDM to the existing Green Prescription initiative.