Hunt urged to act on ‘scandal’ of record child obesity rates

RECORD numbers of children are leaving primary school dangerously overweight, with one in five now obese, according to figures from the NHS.

Data for 2016-17 shows that 9.6 per cent of children are obese by the time they start school – an increase from 9.3 per cent the previous year. By the time children reach the ages of 10 and 11, 20 per cent are obese.

Caroline Cerny, who leads the Obesity Health Alliance, a coalition of more than 40 organisations, said: “Each year, the childhood obesity statistics tell the same devastating story.

“Obesity continues to rise and it’s the children from the most deprived backgrounds who have the odds stacked against them.”

Next April, the Government will introduce a sugar tax on soft drinks, of between 5p and 8p per 330ml can. But charities called for more action to cut marketing of unhealthy foods to children, especially during peak-time Saturday night viewing. Ms Cerny said: “Adverts for unhealthy foods have a significant impact on consumption habits, and we want to see immediate action to restrict junk food marketing at children, both online and on TV before the 9pm watershed.”

The figures from NHS Digital show obesity levels have risen for two years running for children starting school, despite repeated pledges by ministers and health officials to take action.

Deprived areas of the country are particularly affected, with more than double the proportion of obese children compared to more affluent areas. By the time children reached the age of 10 and 11, one in five were obese. The previous year, 19.8 per cent were obese, although officials said this rise was not statistically significant.

Tam Fry, from the National Obesity Forum, said the trends were “iniquitous”, urging Jeremy Hunt, the Health Secretary, to “get off his bike” and tackle one of the “biggest scandals” facing Britain. He also urged ministers to act on World Health Organisation advice to weigh pre-school children whenever they saw a doctor.

Alison Tedstone, chief nutritionist at Public Health England (PHE), said: “Children deserve a healthy future and these figures are a reminder that addressing childhood obesity requires urgent action.

“There is no single solution to reverse what’s been decades in the making. We need sustained actions to tackle poor diets and excess calorie intakes.

“We’re working with industry to make food healthier, we’ve produced guidance for councils on planning healthier towns and we’ve delivered campaigns encouraging people to choose healthier food and lead healthier lives.”