The government continues to rollout initiatives to curb the growing crisis of childhood obesity as figures remain high, the latest Health Survey England (HSE) data shows.
Figures from the 2022 HSE report showed that more than one in four children were considered overweight or obese.
The prevalence of childhood obesity, including overweight, in the period covered was 28%, up slightly from 2016’s figure of 27%.
Since becoming Mayor of London nine years ago, Sadiq Khan has implemented many initiatives designed to improve childhood obesity, namely strengthening council powers to ban takeaways from opening near schools and restricting junk food adverts on the TfL (Transport for London) network.
A Mayor of London spokesperson said: “The mayor continues to take bold action to improve the health of children and tackle inequalities in the capital.
“This includes his unprecedented funding for free school meals for all London’s state primary schoolchildren, which is ensuring young Londoners are offered a healthy meal at school each day.
“In addition, Sadiq’s Healthy Schools and Early Years programmes are supporting schools and nurseries to improve child health and wellbeing.
“The mayor has also increased the number of water fountains in the capital, and encouraged primary and secondary schools to go water only to support health and learning, as we build a healthier London for everyone.”
Moreover, schemes like the Labour government’s successful Holiday Activity and Food (HAF) programme are supporting schools and nurseries to improve child health and wellbeing.
The Mayor has provided funding for free school meals for all London’s state primary school children since 2023-24.
More than 43million free school meals were funded in the first year of the scheme, with up to 287,000 children benefitting and families saving more than £1,000 per child over the first two years of the scheme.
An independent evaluation of free school meals found that the scheme significantly improved the lives of children and their families across London.
This was done not only by alleviating financial pressures on households, but by positively influencing the health and wellbeing of children, and strengthening school communities as well.
The HSE report also revealed children aged 11-15 were more likely to be overweight, including obese, with 39% prevalence in 2019.
This figure dropped by 11% to 28% prevalence in 2022, while data for overweight including obese prevalence remained stable at 25% in 2019 and 26% in 2022.
In 2024, the National Child Measurement Program (NCMP) foundchildren living in more deprived areas were substantially more likely to be obese, with those in the most deprived being approximately twice as likely to be obese than those in the least deprived.
The 2022 report concluded those in those in the most deprived areas were most at risk of being overweight or obese.
Only 11% of children in the least deprived areas were considered obese, a figure which almost doubled in the most deprived areas where 21% of children were considered obese.
Amid the ongoing cost of living crisis, children in the most deprived areas of the UK are extremely susceptible to obesity and other conditions such as diabetes.
Diabetes UK are increasingly worried as National Paediatric Diabetes Audit (NPDA) data shows type two diabetes is disproportionately affecting children living in deprived areas.
There is an alarming wealth disparity in the data, with four in 10 children and young people living with type two diabetes from the most deprived areas, compared to only one in 19 from the least deprived areas.
Almost four million children in the UK live in households which would struggle to afford to buy enough fruit, vegetables, fish and other healthy foods to meet official nutrition guidelines.
Diabetes UK chief executive Chris Askew OBE said: “The UK Government is letting our children down.
“We are facing a perfect storm which risks irreversible harm to the health of young people.”
Families in deprived areas are more likely to live in inadequate accommodation, and less able to afford healthy food, which means that they might not be able to prepare and cook healthy food at home.
People in deprived areas are also less likely to have access to nearby outdoor green space and are more often targeted by adverts for unhealthy food.
Feature image credit: Free to use from Freepik
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