Today’s report from the Chief Medical Officer has shown the need for a significant change from government if the ambitious target of halving childhood obesity is to be reached by 2030.
The long awaited Time to Solve Childhood Obesity report also outlines how increasing obesity rates are fuelling a rising number of children with Type 2 diabetes; something that was nearly non-existent before 2000.
Type 2 diabetes is a condition that usually develops in adults. Alongside factors such as family history and ethnic background, being overweight or obese significantly increases the risk of the condition.
Type 2 diabetes is more severe in children and can progress rapidly to serious complications like sight loss, kidney failure and heart disease.
Our Chief Executive, Chris Askew, says:
“This report is an urgent and ambitious call to action. The government have committed to halving childhood obesity by 2030, but their actions so far have been insufficient. Today’s report shows what must be done to tackle this issue now.
It is a fact that being overweight or obese significantly increases your risk of Type 2 diabetes. It is incredibly concerning that there are now nearly 7000 children and young adults with Type 2 diabetes when, historically, this is a condition that was only seen in older people.
The bold and decisive recommendations outlined mean that this report cannot be ignored. Government must be brave and take urgent actions to affect the change we all want and need.”
