Ellie Ames 18 June 2024

Call for urgent action on childhood obesity

Call for urgent action on childhood obesity image
Image: Dimmo / Shutterstock.com

‘Urgent and decisive’ action is needed to combat rising levels of childhood obesity, a public health director has argued.

According to Hampshire County Council’s public health annual report, childhood obesity is one of the most significant health challenges of the 21st century.

Public health director Simon Bryant said there had been a significant national increase in the past decade in the percentage of Year 6 children who were overweight or obese.

The increase has been particularly significant in Hampshire, he said, with more than a fifth of children in the county overweight or obese when they start primary school, rising to more than a third by the time they leave.

The report says Hampshire children often do not do the recommended daily hour of exercise. 

It also blames fast food outlets near schools and the availability of less healthy food in supermarkets and leisure settings for rising levels of obesity.

The document says: ‘If we fail to act now, carrying on as we are, levels of childhood overweight and obesity are projected to rise for this and the next generation.’

It urges the council to develop a ‘Healthy Weight in Hampshire’ approach.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Educational Psychologist

The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council
£57072 - £58072 per annum
We are looking for qualified and HCPC registered Educational Psychologists or Year 3 Trainee Educational Psychologists to join our thriving, progressi England, London, City of London
Recuriter: The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council

Senior Educational Psychologist

The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council
£66555 - £67555 per annum
As a result of internal promotions within our service we are looking for committed Senior Educational Psychologists to join us in our work to shape th England, London, City of London
Recuriter: The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council

Principal Accountant

Durham County Council
£47,181 to £51,356 p.a. (Grade 13)
Durham County Council is the largest council in the North East, we have a budget of around £1.3 billion which helps us provide services to more than 5 Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Mechanical Foreman

Durham County Council
£35,412 to £39,152 p.a. (Grade 9)
A vacancy has arisen within Building and Facilities Management for a Mechanical Foreman working full time 37 hours.   WHAT IS INVOLVED?    Within a co Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Occupational Health Physiotherapist

Durham County Council
£40,777 to £45,091 p.a. (Grade 11)
An exciting opportunity has arisen with Durham County Council to join our well established ‘in house’ Occupational Health Service in making a positiv Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner