Childhood obesity 'getting worse every year' with nearly a quarter of Scottish five-year-olds at risk
Efforts to tackle childhood obesity in Scotland are failing, with figures showing the number of children at risk of being overweight or obese is now at a record high.
The NHS statistics reveal that 22.9 per cent of primary one pupils are at risk, representing a rise of 0.8 per cent in 12 months, and almost a two per cent increase since the SNP came to power in 2007.
The report also shows the situation is worse in the poorest communities, with just over 26 per cent of children in their first year at school at risk of weighing too much, compared to 18 per cent in better off areas.
Cancer campaigners said the figures were a scandal and called for legislation to restrict multi-buy offers on unhealthy food and drink.
The report by ISD Scotland, part of the NHS, reveals a considerable overall gap between the most and least deprived children, with 80.9 per cent of primary children in wealthier areas regarded as a healthy weight, compared to 72.4 per cent in deprived communities.
Across the country, 76.1 per cent of all P1 youngsters had a healthy body weight last year, with one per cent at risk of being underweight.
The study warned: "Obesity during childhood is a health concern in itself, but can also lead to physical and mental health problems in later life, such as heart disease, diabetes, osteoarthritis, back pain, increased risk of certain cancers, low self-esteem and depression.”
Prof Linda Bauld, for Cancer Research UK, said it was “scandalous” that almost a quarter of P1 children were at risk of being overweight.
She said a great deal more must be done to protect children from a lifetime of ill health, adding: “It couldn’t be clearer why Scotland needs a trailblazing obesity strategy which includes legislation to restrict multi-buy offers on unhealthy food and drink.
“This will encourage parents to opt for healthier choices during the weekly shop.
“We know it’s normal for children in Scotland to consume chocolate, fizzy drinks and crisps every day, and tempting supermarket bulk-buy deals on junk food are at the heart of this poor diet.
“Obesity is linked to 13 types of cancer. We owe it to our children to protect their health as well as stopping obesity from burdening both society and the NHS.”
Miles Briggs, the Scottish Conservative health spokesman, said the problem was getting worse every year with “absolutely no sign of improvement”.
He added: ”Obesity is fast becoming Scotland's biggest public health crisis, and these statistics reinforce that.
"It's not as simple as just blaming the Government, there are many other elements at play.
"But the SNP cannot hide from the fact this has got significantly worse on its watch, and clearly not enough is being done to encourage healthy eating and an active lifestyle from a young age.”
Aileen Campbell, the Public Health Minister, said the government had launched a diet and obesity consultation which outlines measures designed to help people make healthier choices.
She added that it included measures to “change the food environment and improve children's diets, such as rebalancing promotion of products high in fat, sugar and salt, and tackling advertising before the 9pm watershed”, as well as offering advice to parents.
Ms Campbell said: ”We're supporting children to eat a healthy balanced diet throughout their school day with the introduction of free school meals for P1-3 alongside the review of current school food and drink regulations. In addition to this 98 per cent of schools are now delivering at least two hours of PE every week."
