THIS week we as we celebrate the 70th anniversary of the NHS I want to pay tribute to the staff.

They are truly dedicated to delivering the best possible care for patients.

Our NHS is something we should all be incredibly proud of health services, free at the point of delivery, for everyone in our society.

As the NHS reaches this milestone it is now facing an ageing and growing population.

The way in which we live our lives is also impacting upon our health. Smoking, alcohol consumption, inactivity and unhealthy diets are all contributing to an increased reliance on the service.

Our health care needs have evolved and we are seeing increases in cases of disease, such as diabetes, being linked to obesity.

Described as a worldwide epidemic obesity levels, right across the UK, are increasing.

The Foresight Tackling Obesities: Future Choices Project report estimates that over half of the UK adult population could be obese by 2050.

We are also seeing an increase in the number of overweight children.

The Child Measurement Programme for 2017 shows that around a quarter of children, (27.4 per cent) aged four and five years old are classified as overweight/obese in Wales.

This is why I am welcoming the new healthy eating guidance for nurseries, to help them ensure they provide the children they care for with healthy food and drink.

Encouraging children to eat a balanced diet, made up of a variety of nutritious foods, can help establish positive eating habits for life.

The guidance is designed to contribute to preventing obesity in Wales and help ensure more children can achieve and maintain a healthy weight as they grow and develop.

The Welsh Government is launching a 12 week consultation on the new standards and best practice guidance for food and nutrition in childcare settings and I would encourage the people of Blaenau Gwent to have their say and take at a look at the consultation: https://beta.gov.wales/food-and-nutrition-childcare-settings

Eating food that’s nutritious and healthy is really important for our children.

From a young age our children need to understand the benefits of eating well on their long-term health.

It is an important step in tackling the growing obesity crisis here in Blaenau Gwent and across Wales.

My next advice surgeries are being held on Thursday, July 5, from 4pm until 5pm at Church on the Rise in Beaufort and on Friday, July 6, from 10am until 11am at Cwm Institute. No appointment necessary.