Don’t be in denial about your child’s weight issues….read this!

Half of children have been classed as overweight before they leave primary school at 11, figures reveal.

Major research tracking 13,000 youngsters found more than a third – 35 per cent – were overweight at the age of 11, including 20 per cent who were classed as obese. Researchers also identified a sharp rise in obesity rates between the ages of seven and 11 as parents begin to give children control over their food choices and sedentary activities, such as playing computer games, become more appealing to youngsters.

Academics behind the study said it should be a warning to parents of how easy it was for healthy children to become overweight or obese. Overweight children face an increased risk of serious illnesses such as cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes, as well as psychological problems such as depression.

The research found that overweight youngsters were more likely to start puberty at an early age and were less likely to feel happy about their appearance. Heavier girls were also less likely to be happy with their lives in general. In further findings, a ‘clear link’ emerged between children’s weight at age 11 and their parents’ level of education. Youngsters were more likely to be slim if their parents had degrees, the study said.

And children with overweight mothers were more likely to be overweight themselves.

The so-called Millennium Cohort Study – which is following British children born between 2000 and 2002 – weighed and measured participants at the ages of three, five, seven and 11.

Some 49 per cent were classed as overweight in at least one of the four surveys. Overweight children face an increased risk of serious illnesses such as cardiovascular disease

And 20 per cent of children were obese at the age of 11 and a further 15 per cent classed as overweight. It meant that 35 per cent were either overweight or obese – up from 25 per cent at the age of seven. At that age, 13 per cent were considered obese and 12 per cent overweight. The figures also showed that 12 per cent of children who were a healthy weight at seven had become overweight by 11 and a further 6 per cent had become obese.

Dr Roxanne Connelly, who led the research for London’s Institute of Education, said: ‘What this is showing is that children with a healthy weight can easily drop into the overweight category as they grow older. Parents should be cautious about that.’

She added: ‘A major take-home message is that over time children tend to be tipping over into that overweight and obese category. It seems to be a pattern of moving in that direction rather than children becoming healthier.

‘One thing we did find was that a lot of children who were overweight at age seven were slowly becoming obese so it could be a creeping problem.’

The reasons for the big jump in obesity rates between the ages of seven and 11 needed further exploration, she said. But she added: ‘This is maybe the age where parents are letting go of the reins in terms of deciding what children are eating and having that sort of control over their diet. Also perhaps it is the age where children are moving away from active play towards more indoor computer game-type play.’

But Dr Connelly insisted the study showed it was ‘by no means inevitable’ that children will stay overweight. Some 4 per cent of children who were obese at seven had slimmed down to a healthy weight by 11. Dr Ann Hoskins, of Public Health England, the agency responsible for tackling obesity, said a ‘virtual doubling’ of overweight and obesity rates was ‘deeply concerning’.

She said: ‘Parents and carers can help their children maintain a healthy weight by following a balanced diet, ensuring portion sizes are not too large and avoiding sugary drinks and sugary or fatty snacks. Children also need a minimum of 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise each day, which can be achieved in one session or through shorter bursts of ten-minute activity. PHE is working to help local authorities tackle the environmental causes of obesity. We are also working with schools.’

Culled from dailymail.co.uk