Obesity in Children

New analysis of data regarding a rising obesity levels in children in England has been significantly downgraded.

The data compiled by the National Heart Forum has found strong evidence that the rate of increase in childhood obesity may actually be on the decline instead of rising as first feared.

According to statistics and forecasts, the data suggests that by the year 2020 the proportion of boys aged 2-11 that will be overweight or obese will be 30%. This is down by 12% as was first predicted. For the girls of the same age the new figures suggest a decrease of a massive 21%. Originally the figure stood at 48%.

The new predictions also took into account obesity in children between the ages of 12 to 19. New indications suggest a big drop in the number who were forecast as being overweight by 2020.

The signs are encouraging to say the least as for decades the rates of obesity in children has been rising in England since the 1970’s. Studies have also shown  similar trends in other developed nations such as the United States, France and Denmark.

So far there are 1.5 million children and young people in England alone that are considered to be overweight or obese. This is worrying as it increases the risk of developing health related problems later in life such as heart disease, cancer and type 2 diabetes.

The aim of the Department of Health is to reduce the amount of overweight and obese children to 2000 by the year 2020.

The present revised data is based on information collated for the Health Survey for England between 2000 and 2007. The previous estimates were from data collected from a study between 1993 and 2004.

The study does not reveal why obesity has started to level off but suggestions of better advertising from the media and government campaigns may have helped.

Tackling the Problem

According to lead researcher Professor Klim McPherson the trends are more positive these days but stressed that the governments need to keep up the work they are doing in tackling obesity, especially in children.  The Professor also stated that obesity levels and excess weight was still unacceptably high and the latest statistics should not lead to complacency. He called for close monitoring of the situation to enable the statistics to be translated into facts.

However, Dr Ian Campbell, who is the medical director of the charity Weight Concern, pushed the point that while the rate of increase may have lowered, the actual rates of obesity in children was still on the rise. Still he commented that the government’s Change 4 Life campaign which aims to improve childrens physical activity and diets, had been well received by the general public and hoped it has made a lasting impact.

Tam Fry is from the National Obesity Forum stated that people studying obesity would have to wait another two to three years to formulate whether the fall is a trend or just a simple blip. His concerns were about the economy and the strain it is putting on parents rushing out to purchase cheaper, processed foods instead of healthier fresh produce.

There has been a positive impact on educating children through government initiatives, according to the Minister for Public Health, Gillian Merron. This in combination from good work by the NHS. However she was quick to point out that obesity levels were still too high and the need to keep up the momentum of the good work so far is necessary.

Public awareness of the problem has increased and more people are taking on board healthier lifestyle changes and diets, especially for children. Still there is no room for complacency as we owe ourselves and our children a healthier future.