Nursery World - Weighed down

Fat is a weighty issue for today's children. Annette Rawstrone looks at some of the effects that weight problems are having on their health and self-image Childhood obesity has become a serious public health problem in the UK, with children facing both increased ill-health and psychological problems as a consequence. An estimated one in three children are overweight and one in ten are obese (see box). Eighty per cent of obese children will become obese adults.

Childhood obesity has become a serious public health problem in the UK, with children facing both increased ill-health and psychological problems as a consequence. An estimated one in three children are overweight and one in ten are obese (see box). Eighty per cent of obese children will become obese adults.

Children's weight problems arise from a chronic imbalance between energy intake and energy needs. Today's children tend to be less active than former generations. As they spend more time watching television and their parents worry more about their safety, children have become more sedentary.

Larger food portions, changes in food manufacturing practices and fast-food advertising aimed at children are also factors.

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