Childhood obesity starting to slow - News - Penwith School Sport Partnership

Childhood obesity starting to slow

Evidence by the National Heart Forum has found that the rate of increase in childhood obesity may be starting to slow. The figures indicate that by 2020 the proportion of boys aged 2-11 who will be overweight or obese will be 30% and not 42% as predicted. Figures for overweight or obese girls of the same age are down from 48% to 27% The Minister for Public Health, Gillian Merron, said government initiatives had had a positive impact, along with local work by the NHS and schools.But she added: "Obesity levels are still too high and we need to keep the momentum going."We'll only turn the tide on obesity for good if everyone - government, families and industry - play their part."Tam Fry, from the National Obesity Forum, said: "We will have to wait another two or three years to see if this is a trend or just a blip."I am worried about the credit crunch which is already encouraging increased reliance on processed food."(BBC News, 2nd November 2009)

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