Child obesity level rises
There has been sharp rise in the level of child obesity in England according to new figures from the Department of Health.
Obesity levels for children between the ages of two and ten rose from 9.9 per cent in 1995 to 13.7 per cent in 2003.
And, obesity prevalence has increased more sharply in older children, the figures suggest, with rates rising from 11.2 per cent to 16.5 per cent, over the same eight year-period, among eight to ten-year-olds.
A wealth discrepancy also exists, with an obesity prevalence of 16.4 per cent among children from the most deprived areas, compared to 11.2 per cent for children from the most affluent areas.
The figures were seized on by the Opposition to claim Labour’s health policies are not working.
Shadow Health Secretary Andrew Lansley said: “In 1999 Labour’s Public Health White Paper barely mentioned obesity. Their Public Health policies have been an abject failure. Labour did not raise the school meal issue until Jamie Oliver’s TV programme, and school sport has declined. Children are suffering the effects as childhood obesity leads to increase in diseases like diabetes”.
And Liberal Democrat health spokesman Paul Burstow said that the figures confirmed there was an “obesity timebomb” that Labour had failed to act on.
Mr Burstow, said: “On this trend over half the nation’s children will be obese by 2020. It means a generation of children facing type-two diabetes, hart disease and premature death.
“Liberal Democrats will give parents more control through clear food labelling and tackle pester power by restricting advertising of unhealthy food during children’s TV programmes.”
But Health Minister Rosie Winterton defended Labour, saying that it was the only party committed to tackling the problem.
Ms Winterson said: “For years the Labour Party has been focused on tackling childhood obesity, in spite of opposition from the Tories who have blocked us every step of the way.
“Labour is on the side of the many and will take action. The Tories will do nothing. They reject any action on food labelling, restricting advertising of junk food to children. And they voted against funding for school nurses.
“Labour will support parents and children to make healthy choices. The Tory message to parents and children is – you’re on your own.”
