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Nutrition and obesity

One in three children in the UK are obese by age 9. 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.
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Childhood obesity

Obesity is one of the biggest public health threats facing the UK and the biggest human-generated burden on the economy after smoking. Our 2017 State of Child Health report explored some of the challenges and potential solutions.
Childhood obesity
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Obesity Health Alliance policy position

We are a member of the Obesity Health Alliance. The OHA members agree on a set of urgent population level policy interventions that we believe will reduce rates of overweight and obesity, and address the social inequality and cultural differences in overweight and obesity prevalence.
Our policy position
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What do young people think about sugar?

We asked the children at Christopher Hatton primary school what they think about sugar. Watch our short film to hear their views.
Watch now

Our campaign on breastfeeding

The benefits of breastfeeding are beyond question, for mother and baby. However, breastfeeding rates in the UK remain stubbornly low. Read our position statement on breastfeeding to find out more about our latest campaigns and research.

Breastfeeding position statement

Help us campaign on obesity

The RCPCH is part of the Obesity Health Alliance – a coalition of over 40 organisations with expertise in tackling obesity. Find out more about our campaigning activity and calls to action including our push to restricting junk food advertising prior to the 9pm watershed.

Visit the Obesity Health Alliance

Campaigning in Wales

The Welsh Government is consulting on its forthcoming obesity strategy. To get involved in the RCPCH submission, please contact our External Affairs Manager in Wales: Gethin.jones@rcpch.ac.uk
Email our Welsh office

Our recommendations for the nations

We have created a number of recommendations for the Government of each nation which we believe will improve childhood obesity.
Read our recommendations

Growth Charts

Growth is an important indicator of a child's health. Our charts allow health professionals to plot and measure your child's height and weight from birth to young adulthood.

View the growth charts

The medical profession's prescription for the nation's obesity crisis

This report from the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges presents 10 key recommendations – an ‘action plan’ – of steps that the organisation believes must be taken to make real inroads into tackling the obesity crisis in the UK.
Key recommendations

Our archives about nutrition

Our subject guides on a range of child health topics are for researchers interested in child health and the history of paediatrics. Nutrition and diet affects all aspects of life and are important for growth and development.
Check the archives

Support our other campaigns

The RCPCH campaigns to improve child health in a number of ways, from securing policy commitments from political parties that will improve the health and lives of children and young people to lobbying on issues such as breastfeeding or water fluoridisation. Find out how you can join our campaigns and advocacy work.
Join our parliamentary panel

Latest news on obesity and nutrition

See all news

Read our resources on nutrition and obesity

Read our resources