Why is childhood obesity on the rise?

21% of UK children are starting primary school overweight or obese. That’s shocking enough, but 36% of children are also leaving primary school overweight or obese. That’s according to a government study which highlights the issue as a public health concern. So what are the dangers of childhood obesity and what can be done to tackle it? To mark National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month, the health experts at YourGP lift the lid on the growing problem of growing waistlines.

When is a child classed as obese?

A child is classed as overweight if their Body Mass Index (BMI) is between the 85th and 95th percentile for their age and sex. A child is classed as obese if their BMI is equal to or above the 95th percentile.

What’s contributing to the rise in childhood obesity?

The rise is thought to be the result of a combination of factors such as:

• Greater consumption of high calorie foods: More children are consuming ultra processed convenience items that contain high amounts of sugar, salt and fat.
• Less physical exercise: Many children do not meet the recommended 60 minutes of physical activity per day, which means they are not burning off the calories they are consuming.
• Greater screentime: Sedentary behaviour such as watching television or playing video games can contribute to obesity.

Why is childhood obesity a problem?

Childhood obesity poses a serious problem for a variety of reasons. In the short-term, excess weight can lead to conditions like asthma and high blood pressure. Longer-term, obese children are more likely to experience bone and joint problems and develop serious health conditions such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and certain cancers later in life. They are also more likely to experience depression and have a shorter life expectancy.

How parents can help

Statistics show children who live in a family where at least one parent or carer is obese are more at risk of growing up to be above a healthy weight themselves. It is therefore important to be a positive role model to your child by eating healthy meals and keeping physically active. Both of these things can be opportunities to connect and bond – by prepping dinner together or playing sport together, you can enjoy quality time together with the added bonus that it will benefit your family’s health.

It is also important to be mindful of portion sizes. Offer smaller servings and slow the pace of dinnertime by eating together and chatting.

Little everyday changes can also help, such as ditching after-school sugary snacks for sliced fruit and veg, making sure that drinking water is always available and limiting fizzy drinks and fruit juices.

Finally, establishing a healthy sleep routine can help. When people are tired they are more likely to crave sugary and salty food, and feel less motivated to exercise. Going to bed at a set time every night, waking up at the same time every morning, and getting enough quality sleep in between is a good way to help break unhealthy habits.

Your words matter

It is essential that conversations about the lifestyle changes mentioned above remain positive. Praise your child for making healthy choices and educate them about the many benefits of staying fit and active. Do not make negative comments about their weight or appearance. Your choice of wording matters and can affect your child for years to come.

Supporting your child to become a healthier weight should be approached with care, sensitivity and empathy. If you’re worried about how best to approach it, speak to the health professionals at YourGP. For our team, nothing is more rewarding than helping families become healthier and happier.

For help and advice on how to help your family on the path to good health, use our simple online booking system, email reception@your.gp, or call us on 0131 381 0322 and we’ll be happy to arrange an appointment at a time that suits you.