According to NHS statistics, children living in deprived areas are twice as likely than their peers to become obese after they leave primary school.
Experts warn that the cost-of living crisis is threatening to push more children into poverty or worsen their health.
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Dr Rachel Ward, a Didcott-based doctor, told Central Recorder that around 80 percent of obese children will become obese adults. “a huge health crisis in years to come”.
“Obesity is one of the biggest health risk factors that we face in the UK,”She warned.
“It increases your risk of diabetes, cancer, heart disease, stroke and mobility issues.
“That’s why it’s critical to address obesity in children.”
Dr Helen Stewart, an officer for health improvement at Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, reiterated the dire warning.
“Today’s data reaffirms the intrinsic link between obesity and poverty,”She spoke.
We find ourselves in a situation where the most vulnerable children are twice more likely to become obese and have a lower life expectancy.
“It’s inherently wrong that these children can be placed at such a disadvantage before even leaving primary school. These rampant health inequalities can no longer be ignored.”
According to the NHS Digital report, 31% of 6 year olds from deprived areas are obese. This is more than double the 13.5% in less deprived areas.
Sandwell, West Midlands, had the highest levels of obesity in year 6 and reception class – respectively 14.9 percent and 33.7 percent.
Contrary to this, Richmond upon Thames in London was the area with the lowest obesity levels. There, 5.4% of the children living with obesity are from the reception age.
Year 6 students were at their lowest level in Surrey in the South East. There, 12.1 per cent of the South East’s obese children were either 10 or 11.
Overall, the data show that there has been an overall drop in childhood obesity rates over the past year, as compared to the high levels seen during the Covid pandemic.
However, 2021/22 is still significantly higher than the pre-pandemic levels.
COST-OF–LIVING THREAT
Dr Ward warned that the cost of living crisis will only get worse.
“It will certainly have a very negative impact on children’s health – we are already seeing this,”She added.
“When parents are struggling to heat homes, clothe their children and put food on the table, it has a very negative impact on both the physical and mental health of children.”
The NHS Digital stats reveal that 23.4 percent of England’s children are obese and 5.8 percent are severely obese.
Another 14.3% are obese, which means that almost 10% of children 10 and 11 years old are either overweight or obese.
In reception class, 10.1% are obese and 2.9% are severely obese.
Another 11.1% are overweight, which is more than one-fifth of all children receiving care.
‘COMPLEX ISSUE’
Dr Ward offered advice to parents. “embedding good habits of healthy eating and regular exercise”When children are young.
She acknowledged that it was a possibility. “complex issue”This is a serious problem that requires education and support in many areas.
“There is no point teaching people how to cook healthy meals and batch cook if they have no cooking equipment and can’t afford the energy to cook food,”Dr Ward spoke.
“Similarly, children who are not able to participate in sport activities will be unable to do so unless they understand the barriers that prevent them.
“We need to work hard at this problem as it’s going to lead to a huge health crisis in years to come.”
DRASTIC ACTION IS REQUIRED
Dr Stewart explained that the RCPCH is urging Steve Barclay, the new Health Secretary to continue the preventative antiobesity policies which were recently threatened by Liz Truss’s Government being abandoned.
“We also ask that there be a renewed focus in tackling child poverty and deprivation,”She added.
“Concrete action such as expanding school meals free of charge, increasing financial support for families facing rising inflation, and publishing The Health Disparities White Paper could make all the difference.
“The link could not be clearer, there is no tackling obesity without tackling poverty too.”
Tam Fry is the chairman of the National Obesity Forum. He blames successive governments for failing the children’s obesity crisis.
“It is shocking that overcrowded areas in the Midlands have nearly three times more obese children than towns in the leafy South,”He said.
“It is also shocking that Steve Barclay, the re-instated health secretary, has not spoken a word about how he intends to combat obesity or the plight children living in poverty.
“Dame Sally Davies, the outgoing chief medical officer, sent Downing Street a complete set of measures in 2018 specifically to achieve Jeremy Hunt’s stated ambition of halving child obesity by 2030.
“The onus is on the Government rather than parents to fight obesity, though of course, the latter will have the responsibility of ensuring their children are raised healthily.”
Dr Ward recommends that parents seek more information from their doctor, school nurses, or health visitors.