This report focuses on the geographic distribution of health and overweight among children and youth in Denmark and on different strategies and projects implemented by local municipalities and volunteers, in order to reduce and prevent overweight. Existing research has demonstrated a highly unequal geographic distribution of overweight and obesity in Denmark. Hence, existing research shows that overweight and obesity represent a far more serious problem in Denmark´s 16 peripheral municipalities than in the rest of the country.
A national law from 2007 handed over the responsibility for preventive health services in relation to children to the municipalities. At the same time all Danish municipalities were strongly encouraged (though not obliged) to establish some kind of health offer to overweight children. In 2012 the National Health Service started to provide funding for municipal projects aiming at overweight children and youth. Among nine municipalities that have received funding for projects three were peripheral municipalities.
Drawing on statistical material, the first part of the report sheds light on health issues among Danish children and youth, directing particular attention to health and social inequality and to the geographic distribution of health and overweight.
The second part of the report focuses on different municipal projects aiming at reducing and preventing overweight and obesity among children and youth. This part of the report is based on interviews with health employees in Denmark´s 16 peripheral municipalities and, to some extent, with young people who have participated in different programs, their parents, and persons involved in voluntary work in relation to children and youth with overweight problems.
Furthermore, in the second part different projects and their areas of focus are described. Among other things, this part of the report focuses on the extent to which local social capital is mobilized in projects aiming at reducing overweight among children and youth. Denmark has a long and strong tradition for civil engagement through (mostly voluntary) participation in local associational life, not least within the area of sports. Existing research has pointed to local sports associations as important institutions for the building and nurturing of local communities and for the integration of different groups. But the question that is addressed in this report is whether local associational life is involved in projects that aim at a particular group, namely overweight youth and children who may have difficulties in participating in ordinary sport activities with non-overweight children.
The report directs particular attention to a few municipalities where local associations are, or have been, involved in such projects. Drawing on sociological literature on three different types of social capital – bonding, bridging and institutional – it is argued that there is a significant potential for involving local volunteers and local associational life in projects aiming at helping overweight children and youth. However, it is also argued that in order for such cooperation to be successful, different types of social capital need to be considered. Although volunteers from local associations can be important in terms of recruitment and commitment to projects, the municipalities need to be involved in coordinating activities. And since children and youth with overweight problems often have special needs and are not easily integrated into ordinary sports life, the involvement of people with professional expertise is of crucial importance for the success of a project.