Government must do more to tackle childhood obesity

Government must do much more to tackle childhood obesity

The Lib Dems have today called on Conservative Ministers to invest in local services to tackle childhood obesity following fresh official figures reveal 16% of children aged 10 to 11 across Woking are obese.

According to the figures published by Public Health England, 20% children aged 10 - 11 across England are obese. The publication also reveals that half a million children in their final year of primary school are overweight or obese.

Lib Dem Health Spokesperson, Judith Jolly, said:

"It is deeply worrying that 20% of 10 and 11 year olds are obese. That means over 330,00 10 to 11 year old children are more likely to have health problems such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease and certain cancers."

"The Tories, distracted by their own Brexit mess, have taken their eye off the ball. They are quite frankly failing to respond to childhood obesity. It does not need to be this way. That is why the Lib Dems demand better."

Lib Dem County Councillor, Will Forster, added:

"Unless action is taken we are sitting on an obesity time bomb that will only increase pressure on services. Obesity in Woking among 4 - 5 year olds at reception is quite low, just 6.4%. However, as children get a bit older, obesity becomes a real problem - almost 16% of children in year 6 are obese and just under 30% of 10 and 11 year olds are excessively overweight."

"Children in Woking deserve better. We desperately need to be doing much more to ensure that we are giving children the best start in life. Unless action is taken we are sitting on an obesity time bomb that will only increase pressure on our NHS."

"We need to give local government the tools to deal with childhood obesity. Lib Dems would reinstate funding into public health budgets, including more money for active travel, and closing loopholes in the sugary drinks tax.