Who should take action?

• Chief executive officers
• Executive directors of local authority services
• Local authority and NHS commissioners
• Directors of public health and public health teams
• Council leaders and elected members

Actions

• Public health teams should ensure local authorities and NHS organisations develop internal policies to help staff, service users and the wider community achieve and maintain a healthy weight.​

• Local authorities, NHS executive directors and commissioners should promote healthier food and drink choices (and discourage less healthy choices) in all onsite restaurants, hospitality suites, vending machines, outreach services and shops. They should do this through contracts with caterers, pricing and the positioning of products, information at the point of choice and educational initiatives. (See the diet and preventing type 2 diabetes pathways.)

• Local authorities and NHS organisations should introduce and monitor an organisation-wide programme that encourages and supports staff and, where appropriate, service users, to be physically active. This includes, for example, introducing physically active travel plans for staff to promote walking and cycling to and from work. It also includes considering the design of working environments to increase opportunities for physical activity. (See the walking and cycling and physical activity pathways.)​

• Local authorities and NHS organisations should offer lifestyle weight management service(s) (in line with best practice outlined in the obesity pathway) for overweight or obese staff who would like support to manage their weight.​

• Local authority and NHS commissioners should consider how their decisions impact on obesity in the local community. For example, ensuring the provision of healthier choices is included in food contracts for leisure centres may have a positive impact on the diet of people who visit or work at these centres.