Hundreds of obese children under 5 needed hospital treatment last year

04 February 2023 , 22:20

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NHS figures show 806 obese under fives were admitted to hospital last year (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Hundreds of obese children under five needed hospital treatment last year.

There were 806 admitted in England in 2021/22 – NHS figures show.

That is the equivalent to around two obese toddlers and pre-school kids needing a hospital bed every day.

It comes despite the Government setting out a major plan to tackle child obesity three years ago.

NHS Digital said 9,431 youngsters aged 16 and under needed hospital treatment last year – a record high.

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This is up 180% in 10 years, from 3,370 in 2011/12.

For 660 of the 9,431 kids, obesity was the main reason they were admitted. For the others, the child’s weight was relevant to care they had.

The Government set out a major plan to tackle child obesity three years ago (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Tam Fry, chairman of the National Obesity Forum, said: “The figures are shocking and will continue to increase until the Government implements a proper obesity prevention strategy, particularly for early years.”

The Government has delayed plans to ban promotions on unhealthy food and ­restrict adverts on TV before 9pm.

Louise Payne, co-chair of the British Obesity Society, said: “Kids are very influenced by marketing.”

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesman said: “The government takes tackling obesity seriously and our ambition remains to halve childhood obesity by 2030.

“We recently announced £20 million to trial new obesity treatments and technologies to help save the NHS billions.

“We are also committed to introducing restrictions banning adverts on TV for foods and drinks high in fat, salt, or sugar before 9pm, as well as paid-for adverts online.”

Nicola Small