A NEW study into how childhood obesity can be tackled in York is to analyse how many nursery cooks in the city are qualified to ensure youngsters eat healthily.

City of York Council has formed a task group on the issue with the aim of making sure sufficient measures are being put in place to encourage children to pick the right food options rather than gorging on chips and sweets.

It will also run the rule over whether healthy eating initiatives currently in place in York are having the necessary impact, and the amount of money being devoted to providing help and guidance for young people and their parents.

A raft of information on the subject will be delivered at a meeting of the council’s childhood obesity task group – set up following a request from Coun Sue Galloway for a fresh overview of the situation to be carried out next week.

This includes the number of cooks in York’s nurseries who have the qualifications required to give them knowledge of children’s nutritional and dietary needs.

Rosemary Flanagan, the authority’s early years childcare manager, will also present an analysis on nurseries’ healthy eating policies and whether they use locally sourced and organic food.

Presentations will be made on how issues such as fewer children walking to school and the increased popularity of fast food have an impact on health lifestyles.

In a report which will go before the meeting, Christine Packer, the council’s school travel plan co-ordinator, said: “Childhood obesity has become a major health issue nationally.

“Combined with this is the fact that many children do not have the opportunity to take regular physical exercise.

“Travelling actively to school provides an opportunity for children to take some of the 60 minutes’ activity a day they need to stay healthy.”

The group will also discuss whether it wishes to stage a public event on the obesity issue and hopes to complete a final report by the end of May.