Shock figures prompt child obesity concerns

report: Parents urged to take responsibility in tackling issue

An Angus councillor has urged parents of children with unhealthy weights to “take responsibility”.

New figures show a quarter of primary one pupils in Angus schools don’t have a body mass index (BMI) rating within a healthy weight range.

The proportion of youngsters with healthy BMIs has fallen for the past two years.

Former headteacher and Montrose councillor David May has described the figures as a “real concern”.

He added: “A youngster with an unhealthy BMI at this age could, if not tackled, lead to health risks in the short term and longer term.

“Parents must take responsibility for this and take action as soon as possible.

“It is clear that obese children are more likely to become obese adults and this is associated with a number of serious health conditions including heart disease, diabetes, and some cancers.

“However, less well known is that there are health risks associated with children being underweight.

“They have an increased chance of osteoporosis and are less likely to be fit and active, which would also increase their cardiovascular risk.”

The figures, contained within an Angus Council report, show that the proportion of P1 children in Angus with a healthy BMI decreased from 78.3% of pupils in 2012/13 to 75.8% in 2014/15.

A council spokesman said the risks associated with unhealthy food and drink are taught in schools.

He said: “Our health and wellbeing learning programmes includes information and guidance that help our young people to make healthy choices.

“School meals are provided by Tayside Contracts and meet national nutritional standards.

“Ensuring effective physical education and activity is a key focus and various initiatives take place within our schools throughout the year.”

The spokesman added most schools encourage children to complete a ‘daily mile’ – walking, jogging or running a mile with their classmates in the playground.

A Food Standards Scotland report published last year showed that nationally a third of children and around two-thirds of adults are currently overweight or obese.

The same report by the government department also showed that in Scotland a third of P1 children had obvious diet-related dental decay in 2014 and forecasts that, unless things change, 40% of adults in Scotland could be obese by 2030.

Aileen Campbell, Minister for Public Health and Sport, said: “The recent Scottish Health Survey showed the proportion of healthy weight children has increased across Scotland.”

A youngster withan unhealthy BMI at this age could, if not tackled, lead to health risks in the short term and longer term. COUNCILLOR DAVID MAY