Levels of severe obesity in children aged 10 to 11 years
have reached the highest point since records began,
according to new
figures published today, Tuesday 24 July 2018, by
Public Health England (PHE).
Analysis of the National Child Measurement Programme
(NCMP) between
2006 to 2007 and 2016 to 2017 details trends in severe
obesity for the first time. The programme captures the
height and weight of over one million children in Reception
(aged 4 to 5 years) and Year 6 (aged 10 to 11 years) in
school each year.
The findings also show stark health inequalities continue
to widen. The prevalence of excess weight, obesity,
overweight and severe obesity are higher in the most
deprived areas compared to the least deprived – this is
happening at a faster rate in Year 6 than Reception.
Other observations include:
- an upward trend of excess weight, obesity and severe
obesity in Year 6 children
- a downward trend of excess weight, overweight, obesity
and severe obesity in Reception age boys
- a downward trend of underweight in Reception age boys
and girls, and Year 6 girls
The Department of Health and Social Care recently announced
the second
chapter of its Childhood Obesity Plan to help
halve childhood obesity by 2030. Main actions include
mandatory calorie labelling on menus; and restrictions on
price promotions on foods high in fat, salt or sugar. These
measures will go out for consultation later in 2018.
Dr Alison Tedstone, chief nutritionist at PHE, said:
The rise in severe obesity and widening health
inequalities highlight why bold measures are needed to
tackle this threat to our children’s health.
These trends are extremely worrying and have been decades
in the making – reversing them will not happen overnight.
Unhealthy weight in childhood can result in bullying,
stigma and low self-esteem. It is also likely to continue
into adulthood, increasing the risk of preventable
illnesses including type 2 diabetes, heart disease and some
cancers.
As part of its work to reduce childhood
obesity, PHE is working with the
food industry to cut 20% of sugar from everyday products by
2020, and 20% of calories by 2024.
It also helps millions of families to make healthier
choices through its Change4Life campaigns – the
free Food Scanner
app reveals the sugar, fat, salt and calories in
popular foods and drinks.
