Nutrition and obesity

One in three children are overweight or obese by the time they leave primary school. This increase is leading to more cases of type 2 diabetes, asthma and high blood pressure in children. We campaign for politicians to tackle it and help deal with the serious clinical and family consequences for those treating or suffering from related conditions.

Key resources on nutrition and obesity

Breastfeeding in the UK - position statement

Growth charts - for infants, children and young people

Healthy weight evidence - from our State of Child Health website

Gastroenterology, hepatology and nutrition audit report (2021)

Campaigning activities

We are part of the Obesity Health Alliance (OHA), a coalition of over 40 organisations with expertise in tackling obesity. Our calls to action include our push to restricting junk food advertising before the 9pm watershed.

OHA website

Joint position statement with OHA, 2020 (PDF)

Related news

More news

Media response

3 September 2025

RCPCH welcomes plans to ban sale of energy drinks for under-16s

The government will consult on banning the sale of high-caffeine energy drinks to under-16s in England due to negative impacts on children's physical and mental health.

Press release

24 June 2025

Royal Colleges demonstrate the efforts of the workforce in improving child health outcomes

The Welsh Royal Colleges Child Health Collaborative (WRCCHC) unites over 20 Royal Colleges and professional bodies to improve the health and wellbeing of children and young people and the professionals who support them in Wales.

Media response

16 June 2025

RCPCH responds to Welsh Government’s plans for ‘Marmot nation’

The Welsh Government will adopt public health expert Sir Michael Marmot’s eight principles, which aim to eliminate unfair and avoidable differences in health which can be caused by where people live, what kind of job they do and how they are treated in society.

Resources on nutrition and obesity

More resources

Resource

Health, Social Care and Sport Committee (Scottish Parliament): Good Food Nation Proposed National Plan - consultation response

In August 2025, we responded to a call for views into the proposed Good Food Nation National Plan. Our response highlights the importance of embedding child health and wellbeing at the heart of Scotland’s food policy. Below is a short summary, with our full response available in the downloads sectio...

Resource

Restricting promotions of food and drink high in fat, sugar or salt - consultation response (Scotland)

In May 2024, we responded to the Scottish Government's consultation on restricting promotions of HFSS food and drinks. Below is a short summary, with our full response available in the downloads section.

Resource

Health and Social Care Committee (Wales) inquiry into prevention of ill health – obesity – consultation response

In June 2024 we responded to the Health and Social Care Committee’s inquiry into preventing ill health - obesity. This page provides a summary, and you can download our full response below.