Data that found child obesity to be 'levelling off' - 3 November 2009

RCPCH response to Department of Health's announcement of data that found child obesity to be 'levelling off' - 3 November 2009

Dr David Vickers, Registrar, Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health:

"We welcome this study suggesting an improvement in the number of obese children. However, we need to continue to be vigilant on this issue and remain concerned by the high numbers of overweight and obese children in the UK. We need to see sustained improvement and also to understand what is driving the improvement.

"Obesity damages children's physical and mental health and the harmful effects continue into adulthood. We would strongly encourage all parents and carers to promote healthy lifestyle choices by selecting healthy foods for their families and encouraging regular exercise."