9.5% rise in children obesity levels

The National Child Measurement Programme measured one million children’s height and weight and can reveal that 22.6% of four and five year olds were either overweight or obese.
The data also revealed that severe obesity was more common in boys than girls, with 10% of boys aged four and five were obese compared to 9.4% of girls.
‘This data shows that children are being overwhelmed with unhealthy food.” said Caroline Cerny, alliance lead at the Obesity Health Alliance, “The number of children who have been classed as obese is at an all-time high, which if no action is taken, will damage their health now and in the future.”
She added “The Government has the power to shape the environment our children grow up in. It’s time to bring in measures that will stem the unhealthy food marketing and promotions, starting with a watershed for TV junk food adverts.”