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

News

Paediatricians call out unregulated, high sugar and salt baby foods

27 December 2022

RCPCH calls on the UK Government to finally implement mandatory guidelines on the amount of sugar and salt that baby food can contain.

Health policy

Public health

Nutrition

News

RCPCH responds to the Government's National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP) for England 2021/22

3 November 2022

The report presents findings from the Government's National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP) for England, 2021/22 school year.

Growth charts

Health policy

Public health

News

RCPCH responds to illuminating research on the economic benefits of free school meals

11 October 2022

Research commissioned by Impact on Urban Health confirms that expanding Free School Meals could inject up to £41.3bn into the economy.

Health policy

Public health

Health inequalities

Resources on nutrition and obesity

More resources

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.

Resource

Proposal to end the sale of energy drinks to children under 16 (Wales) – consultation response

In September 2022 we responded to the Welsh Government consultation on the proposal to end the sale of energy drinks to children under 16 in Wales.