Junk food struggles in Wales' most obese area Blaenau Gwent

In Blaenau Gwent, known as the birthplace of the NHS and its founder Aneurin Bevan, a new health challenge has emerged, with 67% of adults classified as overweight. This has prompted local efforts aimed at combating unhealthy eating habits that threaten community wellbeing. Each morning, greengrocer Stuart Lewis observes children bypassing fresh produce shops in favor of fast food on their way to school. He notes, “We see kids walking past every morning going to school and they’re going into Greggs – education starts at home with eating habits.” Despite running a fruit shop on Ebbw Vale’s high street for three decades, Stuart acknowledges the difficulty of encouraging people to choose fresh fruit and vegetables over more convenient, ready-made options.

To address these challenges, Blaenau Gwent council is considering measures such as banning junk food advertising on its owned spaces, aiming to promote healthier lifestyles in the region. Businesses are also joining the fight against poor diet choices, offering alternatives such as vegan foods, sourdough pizzas, and a variety of fruit and vegetables to rival the appeal of fast food giants. Jamie Watkins, co-owner of Dough in Tredegar, opened the sourdough-based pizza and baguette shop four months ago with a vision of promoting “good healthy eating [and] cooking,” emphasizing the dangers of excessive sugar in today’s fast-food dominated culture. He describes a wider trend of declining eating habits, stating, “Jamie believes people have become ‘lazy’ in their eating habits… That’s an epidemic we’re facing and it’s not just within Blaenau Gwent.”

Alongside business initiatives, community-focused projects are also making an impact. Stuart Lewis collaborates with the Blaenau Gwent Food Partnership to distribute £10 vouchers encouraging residents to buy fresh produce. He remarked that the vouchers “went off like a storm,” supporting people unfamiliar with cooking fresh foods and helping younger families establish healthier eating patterns. However, there is concern that without ongoing support, some may struggle to maintain these habits once the voucher scheme ends. Paediatrician Dr. Dana Beasley underscores the importance of such measures, describing a junk food advertising ban as “a vital measure,” since obesity is linked to higher risks of diabetes, cancer, and poorer educational outcomes, disproportionately affecting children from deprived backgrounds.

Views among locals highlight the complexity of the issue. Gail Allen, who has managed a children’s clothing store in Tredegar for 16 years, reflects on lifestyle changes over recent decades, explaining that children “don’t exercise as much and it’s all junk food now.” Meanwhile, Chloe Williams from Tredegar points to practical barriers such as poverty and limited access to healthy options. She argues that takeaways often represent the most affordable and convenient choice for people working long hours, questioning whether banning junk food advertising alone will suffice. This viewpoint is echoed by Savas Ucucu, who has worked at Family K

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