The Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology Research Briefing on Childhood Obesity

22/04/21

Today the the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology posted a research briefing on the key areas around Childhood Obesity.

In 2019, the UK Government called childhood obesity “one of the biggest health challenges this country faces”. Childhood obesity contributes to a range of physical and mental health conditions. This POST note outlines current trends in childhood obesity, the impacts on children’s health and access to support. It also covers key risk factors for childhood obesity and evidence on the effectiveness of policies to address it.

To read the full research briefing click HERE. A copy of the main points are summarised below.

Overview

• Obesity is complex and is driven by multiple and interacting behavioural, social and environmental factors.
• Data from the National Child Measurement Programme shows that increasing childhood obesity is associated within equality.
• Children with obesity are at increased risk of mental and physical health problems, some of which can persist into adulthood.
• Children and their parents face barriers in accessing weight management services and there is limited evidence on which interventions work best to reduce obesity.
• Many stakeholders argue that the UK Government’s current focus on individual behaviours, improving diet and restricting unhealthy food and drink marketing is insufficient to halve childhood obesity prevalence by 2030.
• Successful reductions in childhood obesity may require a broader set of initiatives in educational settings, town planning and health services.