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One in four British children obese

Thursday, 07 May 2015 2:54 PM [ Last Update: Thursday, 07 May 2015 2:56 PM ]

A fresh study shows a quarter of British children are overweight or obese.

Nearly a quarter of British children under the age of five are overweight or obese, according to a new Europe-wide study.

The research found that out of the 28 countries involved in the study, the UK boasted the second highest proportion of overweight children under the age of five.

The data showed 23.1% of youngsters in the under-five age group were classed as overweight or obese with the UK coming closely behind Ireland, which registered 27.5%.

Albania (22%), Georgia (20%), Bulgaria (19.8%) and Spain (18.4%) followed Ireland and Britain in third, fourth, fifth and sixth place out of a total twenty-eight.

The bottom of the chart showed Kazakhstan had the lowest obesity rate (0.6%), along with nations including Czech Republic (5.5%), Belgium (7%) and Sweden (8%).

The research found that out of the 28 countries involved in the study, the UK boasted the second highest proportion of overweight children under the age of five.

Another study conducted by the Leeds Beckett University found overweight and obese children showed concern and dissatisfaction over their body shape.

The data, collected from over 300 pupils from eight primary schools in the UK city found a higher body dissatisfaction score among girls.

Prof Pinki Sahota, lead researcher of the study said: “The results suggested that body shape dissatisfaction and dietary restraint behaviours may begin in children as young as six to seven years old, and there is an association with increased BMI."

“Obesity prevention programmes need to consider psychological well-being and ensure that it is not compromised. Further research should be conducted on how interventions can help improve psychological well-being in this age group.”

Dr João Breda of the World Health Organisation said early intervention is necessary.

Dr João Breda of the World Health Organisation’s regional office for Europe, who was involved in the first study, said: “Evidence suggests that early intervention, before five years of age, is necessary if the trajectory to overweight in children is to be arrested and action needs to be taken to have consistent surveillance on this specific population.”

The two studies are to be presented at the European congress on obesity in Prague this week.

SU/PHX

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