4 in 5 tots don’t get their daily exercise

Health fears as obesity figures soar

ONLY a fifth of young children have been getting enough exercise since the pandemic hit, a survey found.

The YouGov study revealed four in five under-sixes are not doing the daily three hours of exercise and active play that experts recommend.

It was commissioned by the Early Intervention Foundation. The EIF’s own

2021 report found cost is a particular factor preventing more physical activity among children under six. Separate analysis carried out by Cancer Research UK forecasts that, if current trends continue, 21 million UK adults will be obese by 2040.

It comes days after Boris Johnson scrapped No10’s obesity strategy under pressure from backbench Tories concerned about the “nanny state”.

Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver is planning a protest outside Downing Street after a ban on buy one get one free offers on foods high in fat, salt and sugar in England was postponed for a year.

Campaigners fear it may never happen if a general election looms.

A block on TV junk food ads before 9pm has also been put on hold though unhealthy food is expected to be barred from prominent shop shelf positions. Michelle Mitchell, Cancer Research UK chief exec, said: “These projections should serve as a wake-up call to the Government about the state of our nation’s health. “Ministers mustn’t keep kicking the can down the road when it comes to tackling the obesity crisis, delaying measures.

“I urge them to revisit this decision and take bold action on obesity, the second biggest preventable risk factor for cancer in the UK.”

The Cancer Research report suggests people who are obese could outnumber those of a healthy weight by the late 2020s in England and late 2030s in Northern Ireland.

For Scotland and Wales, the crossover is not expected to happen before 2040. Obesity can cause a range of health issues. martin.bagot@mirror.co.uk