Britain's Childhood Obesity Crisis

Main Category: Obesity / Weight Loss / Fitness
Also Included In: Diabetes
Article Date: 26 Feb 2008 - 3:00 PDT

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The scale of Britain's childhood obesity crisis was revealed as a quarter (23 per cent) of four to five year-olds and almost a third (31 per cent) of 10-year-olds are overweight and obese.

The data comes from a voluntary weighing scheme in primary schools in which more than 800,000 children were weighed. The information was released by the NHS Information Centre from the National Child Measurement Programme.

Type 2 diabetes in children on the up

Libby Dowling, Care Advisor at leading health charity Diabetes UK, says: "This is a shocking reflection of the country's health.

"The link between obesity and Type 2 diabetes is well documented. Although this is a condition usually seen in adults over the age of 40, we estimate there are now at least 1,000 children who have it, some as young as seven years old.

"This research confirms a worrying trend in children. Diabetes UK recommends a healthy diet and regular physical activity to control weight and cut the chances of developing Type 2 diabetes.

"Diabetes can lead to life-threatening conditions such as stroke, kidney and heart disease."

http://www.diabetes.org.uk