Local Efforts to Combat Obesity in Blaenau Gwent
From his fruit shop in Blaenau Gwent, greengrocer Stuart Lewis observes children passing by each morning, many stopping to purchase fast food on their way to school.
Blaenau Gwent, known as the birthplace of the NHS and its founder Aneurin Bevan, faces a significant health challenge with 67% of adults classified as overweight. This has prompted local initiatives to promote healthier lifestyles in Wales’ most obese area, including a proposed ban on junk food advertising.
Several businesses have joined the effort to counter unhealthy eating habits by offering fruit, vegetables, vegan options, and sourdough products aimed at competing with fast food outlets.
"We see kids walking past every morning going to school and they're going into Greggs - education starts at home with eating habits,"said Stuart Lewis.
"People like convenience, ready-made meals and they'll buy a pizza which is on offer and not think 'oh we could do that from scratch'."
Stuart, who has operated his greengrocer shop on Ebbw Vale's high street for 30 years, acknowledges the difficulty in encouraging customers to purchase fruit and vegetables. However, he notes some progress through collaboration with the Blaenau Gwent Food Partnership, which distributes £10 vouchers to help residents access fresh produce.
"The vouchers went off like a storm,"he said, adding,
"It was introduced to people on how to cook, as well as supporting younger families."
"People are buying stuff that they've never tried in their life, and keep coming back."
Despite this success, Stuart expressed concern that some individuals may not afford to continue purchasing fresh produce once the voucher scheme ends later this month.
Health Risks and Socioeconomic Factors
Paediatrician Dr Dana Beasley advocates for the junk food advertising ban, emphasizing the serious health risks associated with obesity, including increased chances of diabetes, cancer, and poorer educational outcomes.
"This is an issue that further entrenches health inequalities with the most deprived children far more likely to be impacted than their richer peers,"she stated.
According to the Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation, Blaenau Gwent has the highest concentration of deprived neighbourhoods in Wales.
"There is an awful lot of obesity about,"said Gail Allen, 54, who has operated a children's clothing store in Tredegar for 16 years.
She attributes the rise in obesity partly to lifestyle changes over recent decades, noting that children exercise less and consume more junk food.
The National Survey for Wales, published in May 2025, reported that 33% of adults in Blaenau Gwent were classified as obese, the highest in Wales. Flintshire and Wrexham followed with 30% obesity rates.
Tredegar is home to Aneurin Bevan's former office, from where his Medical Aid Society laid the foundation for health services across the UK.
Community and Business Initiatives
Jamie Watkins, 50, a strong advocate for clean and healthy eating, believes that education both in schools and at home is essential to instill healthy eating habits in children.
He co-founded Dough four months ago to provide fresh food options in the area, focusing on promoting good nutrition and cooking skills.
"Sugar is a killer and unfortunately we live in this fast food era. We wanted to promote good healthy eating [and] cooking,"Jamie explained.
The shop offers sourdough-based pizzas and baguettes made fresh daily, using produce sourced from local farmers.
"People have become lazy in their eating habits,"Jamie added.
"That's an epidemic we're facing and it's not just within Blaenau Gwent."
Conversely, Chloe Williams from Tredegar highlights the challenges faced by working families, noting that takeaways are often the more convenient and affordable option for those with long working hours.
"It's a lot cheaper to get the unhealthy food then have the free time to cook and make your own food,"she said.
Chloe expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of banning junk food advertising alone, citing poverty and limited access to healthy food options as significant barriers.
Savas Ucucu, 38, who has worked at Family Kebab House in Ebbw Vale for 13 years, has noticed a shift in clientele, with more families and fewer late-night customers, attributing this to affordability issues.
He believes the scarcity of restaurants in the area contributes to the reliance on fast food.
Nitu Sharma and Jaspreet Singh, owners of Boom, a vegetarian and vegan cafe opened a year ago, aim to provide affordable, healthy "home style food" alternatives.
Nitu acknowledges council efforts to promote healthier lifestyles but urges further action.
"We just need to go that one step further,"she said.
Policy and Political Responses
Blaenau Gwent, alongside neighbouring Torfaen, is designated as a Marmot council in Wales, committing to reducing health inequalities by addressing social determinants such as education, employment, and housing.
In March, councillor Sonia Behr proposed restricting advertising of ultra-processed and high fat, salt, and sugar foods on council-owned advertising assets.
The local authority unanimously passed a motion to explore strategies to tackle obesity and promote healthier living.
A council spokesperson highlighted efforts to encourage physical activity through accessible play facilities and the availability of several community pantries and shops offering healthy, low-cost, or free options for families.
"All this, we hope, will make healthy options as attractive, affordable, quick and as convenient as a ready meal or takeaway,"the spokesperson added.
The British Medical Association's Dr Phil White emphasized the importance of improving national health to prevent disease and ensure a sustainable future for the NHS.
"By improving the health of the nation, we are able to prevent disease and create a sustainable future for the NHS, improving services overall."
Political Party Perspectives
A Welsh Liberal Democrat spokesperson welcomed the council's proposal but noted it "only scratches the surface" of the issue.
The Welsh Conservatives suggested that "a stronger local economy" would enable people to make better food choices.
The Welsh Labour Party stated its commitment to addressing health inequalities by investing in active travel, enhancing the quality of free school breakfasts and lunches, and limiting advertisements for unhealthy food and drinks.
The Wales Green Party emphasized treating obesity as a public health challenge rather than a personal failing.
A Reform UK spokesperson advocated for supporting healthy choices through information while cautioning against overprotecting individuals.
Plaid Cymru highlighted the persistently high rates of obesity and diet-related illnesses in Wales and called for a strategic overhaul of public health policies.
