Childhood obesity in England has
doubled in 10 years, figures show.
One in four children is obese,
the Health and Social Care Information Centre survey
of 2,000 children found.
From 1995 to 2004, obesity among
boys rose from 14% to 24% and girls from 15% to
26%. The rate also rose slightly in the two to 10
age group.
Campaigners said England was facing
a "health timebomb", and ministers said more had
to be done to hit the target to halt the child obesity
rise by 2010.
Earlier this year, public sector
watchdogs the National Audit Office, Healthcare
Commission and Audit Commission said good work going
on at a local level.
But they added the government needed
to show more leadership if the push was to succeed.
Public Health Minister Caroline
Flint said: "We recognise we need to do more.
"Our public health agenda is the
first concerted attempt to seriously tackle rising
levels of obesity."
She added "huge steps forward"
have already been taken through campaigns to increase
fruit and vegetable consumption and more investment
in school sport.
The survey also showed adult obesity
is continuing to rise from 13% to 24% for men and
16% to 24% for women.
'Timebomb'
The overall cost of obesity to
the NHS is currently around £1bn, with a further
£2.3bn to £2.6bn for the economy as a whole.
Professor Colin Waine, chairman
of the National Obesity Forum, said the figures
revealed a "public health timebomb".
"This is serious news because obesity
in adolescence is associated with the premature
onset of Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.
"It really augurs very badly for
the future health of the population as these children
move from adolescence to adulthood.
"This will have a significant impact
on longevity and we are in danger of raising a generation
of people who have a shorter life expectancy than
their parents.
"This is a public health timebomb
as these children move into adult life."
And Weight Concern executive director
Caroline Swain added: "If we are to preserve the
health of the next generation, there is a desperate
need for detailed research into what is triggering
this rising trend, as well as practical action on
a national level to encourage families to adopt
healthier lifestyles."
