The child obesity time bomb

8:40am Thursday 4th September 2008

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A childhood obesity “crisis” has led to the launch of healthy-eating courses for children as young as two.

Growing fears that thousands of toddlers could become overweight has led to the introduction of the ten-week courses for two to four-year-olds.

The move comes after The Argus learned that one in ten four-year-olds in Sussex is now classed as obese, costing taxpayers billions of pounds in future medical care.

Health experts warn that unless the obesity “ticking timebomb” is tackled in the early years, the children will struggle with their weight throughout their lives.

Research carried out by the NHS has revealed that obese or overweight people can die up to 30 years earlier than those who are fit and healthy.

MPs say parents must do more to promote healthy eating and exercise at home.

They also believe the Government is not doing enough to promote exercise within schools.

A spokeswoman for the group said: “Childhood obesity has become a serious health crisis with obesity levels projected to double over the next two decades.

“Overweight and obese children are very likely to become obese adults - however they have more chance of becoming healthy weight adults if the problem is recognised and treated in childhood.”

Jannette Smith, the woman in charge of the courses said she anticipated a good take-up.

She said: “It is very much a preventative measure at the moment. We want to educate children and families about obesity before it becomes a bigger problem in later life.”

Nutritionist Julie Harper, who runs a nutrition clinic in Church Road, Hove, said: “This is a step in the right direction but there is still a long way to go.”

The courses are among the first of their kind in the country.

Brighton and Hove Food Partnership will launch the part-Government funded Mini Mend (Mind, Exercise, Nutrition, Do It) courses for two to four year olds later this year.

Families are being invited to take part in the courses which start in Moulsecoomb, Brighton, in October before moving to other parts of the city.

So far more than 100 families in Brighton and Hove have completed the courses for children aged 7 to 13.

The children and their families will attend ten weekly sessions where they can discuss fussy eating, food portions, reading food labels and promoting exercise in an attempt to get them to slim down.

In East Sussex 9% of children aged between four and five-years-old are classified as obese, with 14% said to be overweight.

The figures are similar in West Sussex and Brighton and Hove.

Across Sussex that means at least 4,000 toddlers are morbidly overweight.

The Argus revealed earlier this year that across Sussex 20% of children of all ages are classified as obese.

The Government classifies obese as someone with a body mass index of 30 or above. Having a BMI index of 25-30 is overweight.

The situation is costing Brighton and Hove around £2.5 million a year. Nationally, obesity costs the NHS £3.7 billion a year.

The move to introduce the new courses has sparked debate with some claiming they are unnecessary.

Tim Loughton, East Worthing and Shoreham MP and also a Tory Shadow Children, Schools and Families Minister, said: “Childhood obesity is a ticking timebomb and this situation has existed for some time.

“Tackling childhood obesity starts within the home, without interference from a nanny-state government.

“But there should also be as much help and information out there as possible.

“It is crucial that this problem is tackled at a young age because there is evidence that once young people have reached teenage age it is too late.”

But Nick Gibb, the Bognor and Littlehampton MP and a Tory Shadow Children, Schools and Families Minister, said: “Extraneous courses like this are not really needed in my view.

“It can all be done in schools. As long as children have plenty of competitive sport and very good, nutritional food, we would not have this problem.”

Primary Care Trusts in Sussex have launched their own initiative to tackle childhood obesity.

In 2005 Brighton and Hove Primary Care Trust targeted more than 5,000 children across the city it believed could be vulnerable to the affects of overeating.

The Department of Health believes that tackling the problem when children are still young will help save millions of pounds in the long-run and prevent serious illness.

A spokeswoman said: “In Sussex alone these types of programmes are estimated to save the taxpayer at least £20 million.

“We are talking about long-term health benefits and long-term savings.

“The link between childhood obesity and illness in later life is quite clear and established.

“By tackling the problem when children are still young means we are easing the burden on the health system.”

To take part in the courses call 01273 431703 or email mend@bhfood.org.uk.

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