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08/10/2003
Parents must help in reducing child obesity, says report
Parents are being enlisted as the first line of defence against obesity in children after a report today revealed that nearly 10% of Britain's six-year-olds are overweight.
The costs of obesity are high both in health and financial terms - an obese person loses an average of seven years of life compared to someone with a healthy weight, and yearly costs to the economy and the NHS are estimated at £2.6 billion.
According to a new report from the Health Development Agency (HAD), obesity in children is rising, and research shows that up to 8.5% of 6-year-olds are obese, and in adults, nearly two-thirds of men and half of women are either overweight or obese.
However, the report found that involving parents and children together in family-based programmes "proved to be effective" in treating overweight and obesity in children. The most successful programmes included physical activity, diet and a mix of other components such as lifestyle counselling.
Dame Yve Buckland, Chair of the Health Development Agency, said: "Parents can make a huge impact on rising levels of childhood obesity. The good news is that the evidence shows parents can successfully treat their child's obesity by actively changing the whole family's approach to diet and physical activity and by avoiding couch-potato lifestyles. The myriad of child-focussed food advertising is a real challenge, but parents can fight back - it's them paying at the checkout, not their children."
Schools are also found to have an important role in preventing obesity and overweight in children, particularly in girls. By using a combination of methods, typically including nutrition education, modifying school meals and tuck shops, teacher training and promoting physical activity, a reduction in obesity was observed. This whole school approach, where what is taught in the classroom on obesity is reflected elsewhere in the school environment, is most successful.
(gmcg)
The costs of obesity are high both in health and financial terms - an obese person loses an average of seven years of life compared to someone with a healthy weight, and yearly costs to the economy and the NHS are estimated at £2.6 billion.
According to a new report from the Health Development Agency (HAD), obesity in children is rising, and research shows that up to 8.5% of 6-year-olds are obese, and in adults, nearly two-thirds of men and half of women are either overweight or obese.
However, the report found that involving parents and children together in family-based programmes "proved to be effective" in treating overweight and obesity in children. The most successful programmes included physical activity, diet and a mix of other components such as lifestyle counselling.
Dame Yve Buckland, Chair of the Health Development Agency, said: "Parents can make a huge impact on rising levels of childhood obesity. The good news is that the evidence shows parents can successfully treat their child's obesity by actively changing the whole family's approach to diet and physical activity and by avoiding couch-potato lifestyles. The myriad of child-focussed food advertising is a real challenge, but parents can fight back - it's them paying at the checkout, not their children."
Schools are also found to have an important role in preventing obesity and overweight in children, particularly in girls. By using a combination of methods, typically including nutrition education, modifying school meals and tuck shops, teacher training and promoting physical activity, a reduction in obesity was observed. This whole school approach, where what is taught in the classroom on obesity is reflected elsewhere in the school environment, is most successful.
(gmcg)
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29 April 2005
Figures reveal increasing childhood obesity worry
The latest batch of figures published by the Department of Health have revealed that the prevalence of obesity among children is rising. In those aged between two and ten obesity has risen from 9.9% in 1995 to 13.7% in 2003, but children aged between eight and ten showed the biggest increase, with a rise from 11.2% to 16.5% over the same period.
Figures reveal increasing childhood obesity worry
The latest batch of figures published by the Department of Health have revealed that the prevalence of obesity among children is rising. In those aged between two and ten obesity has risen from 9.9% in 1995 to 13.7% in 2003, but children aged between eight and ten showed the biggest increase, with a rise from 11.2% to 16.5% over the same period.
04 September 2008
Obesity Plan Presented
Leading Scottish medical professionals have put forward a five point plan to tackle the growing problem of obesity. In advance of a debate on obesity in the Scottish Parliament today, BMA Scotland has called on politicians to take action on childhood obesity.
Obesity Plan Presented
Leading Scottish medical professionals have put forward a five point plan to tackle the growing problem of obesity. In advance of a debate on obesity in the Scottish Parliament today, BMA Scotland has called on politicians to take action on childhood obesity.
27 May 2004
'Devastating threat' of obesity must be tackled, says report
With three-quarters of the UK's adult population now overweight or obese, a comprehensive raft of measures are needed to combat the "devastating threat" to the nation’s health posed by obesity, the Commons health committee has said.
'Devastating threat' of obesity must be tackled, says report
With three-quarters of the UK's adult population now overweight or obese, a comprehensive raft of measures are needed to combat the "devastating threat" to the nation’s health posed by obesity, the Commons health committee has said.
04 May 2006
Health staff encouraged to help patients lose weight
The government has unveiled a number of new practical tools for GPs and other health professionals to help patients lose weight and improve their health. For the first time, GPs and other healthcare workers are being given specific tools to help identify and treat children, young people and adults who are overweight or obese.
Health staff encouraged to help patients lose weight
The government has unveiled a number of new practical tools for GPs and other health professionals to help patients lose weight and improve their health. For the first time, GPs and other healthcare workers are being given specific tools to help identify and treat children, young people and adults who are overweight or obese.
28 February 2006
Government's child obesity target 'may not be met'
The government's target to halt the rise of child obesity by 2010 may not be met unless there is "clearer leadership", a report has warned. The incidence of childhood obesity increased from 9.6% in 1995 to 13.7% in 2003.
Government's child obesity target 'may not be met'
The government's target to halt the rise of child obesity by 2010 may not be met unless there is "clearer leadership", a report has warned. The incidence of childhood obesity increased from 9.6% in 1995 to 13.7% in 2003.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
