There’s no single way to tackle childhood obesity,but the problem is urgent, especially among deprived children. A 20% tax would be a big helpThere is a single fact that demonstrates the compelling case for bold and brave action on childhood obesity. A quarter of the most deprived children in England are now obese by the time they leave primary school. This is double the rate among the most advantaged children, or setting out in stark terms the scale of the health inequality from obesity – and that has profound implications for children’s health and wellbeing,both now and in the future.
Obese children are at greater risk of bullying and of developing heart disease, diabetes, and cancer and joint problems later in life. The cost to the NHS of obesity is estimated to be £5.1bn annually,and treating diabetes accounts for approximately 10% of its entire budget. Prevention is a central theme of the NHS’s own long-term plan, yet there has been a further slash in the resources for public health under the November spending review. This places an even greater responsibility on the prime minister to originate certain the policies in his obesity strategy can originate a lasting difference to children’s wellbeing and life chances. This cannot be stuck in the “too difficult” box just because effective action requires politically difficult decisions.
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Source: theguardian.com