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

Press release

3 May 2023

Paediatricians concerned that children in Northern Ireland are being left behind

Last week Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris set out Stormont's budget for 2023-24.

Press release

31 March 2023

Health outcomes continue to worsen for UK children – say leading children’s doctors

Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) warns that across most indicators, health outcomes are worsening for children who live in deprived areas.

Media response

30 March 2023

RCPCH responds to Northern Ireland's Department of Health’s Health Inequalities Report 2023

RCPCH responds to Northern Ireland's Department of Health’s most recent annual report focussing on health inequalities covering the 2021 reporting period where data was available.

Resources on nutrition and obesity

More resources

Resource

Enteral calcium and phosphate supplementation in neonates and children - position statement

This statement is produced by Neonatal and Paediatric Pharmacist Group (NPPG), with support from RCPCH. There are no licensed oral liquid calcium or phosphate products available in the UK. Administration of an effervescent calcium or phosphate tablet is common, and this statement provides guidance f...

Resource

Department of Education NI Corporate Plan, 'Every Child' - consultation response

The Department of Education (Northern Ireland) 2023-2028 Corporate Plan will set the strategic focus over the next five years with a view to making a difference and improving outcomes for children and young people in NI. This consultation is on the draft plan.

Resource

Healthy Food Environment (Wales) – consultation response

In September 2022 we responded to the Welsh Government consultation on Healthy Food Environment.