'UK kids turn obese at younger ages'

British children are becoming obese at younger ages, according to a major study.

The study by University College London (UCL) warned on Wednesday that the average age at which Britons first become obese is decreasing.

"The onset of obesity has been getting earlier and earlier and this does have implications if people are not losing that weigh," said health expert at UCL, Professor Rebecca Hardy.

The research found that kids born in the 1990s are three times more likely to be obese than their parents or grandparents born sometime between the 1950s and 1980s. The data also suggested childhood obesity may now be stabilizing among the under-10s. Around a fifth of boys and a quarter of girls born after 1990 are obese by the time they are ten years old, the findings revealed.

'INACTIVITY & CONSEQUENCES'

Public health experts say indifference toward fitness is one of the most important issues facing society.

Ann Trybowska, a fitness manager and personal trainer said she has "seen many stories of people who are inactive which is making them unhappy in their life and work, they look at exercise as a chore and not a way of life. But it should be the other way".

After examining data from over 56,000 adults and children between 1946 and 2012, the researchers warned about a dangerous trend with ‘severe public health consequences’.

"The obesity epidemic is a daunting public health threat, even in high-income countries with good infrastructure for education and health care".

Experts say obese children often go on to be obese adults with increased risk of heart disease and diabetes.

"The more of their lives people spend overweight or obese, the greater their risk of developing chronic health conditions such as coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and arthritis," suggested Professor Hardy.

'LESS JUNK MORE EXERCISE'

The head of the NHS Simon Stevens warned on Tuesday that British children are facing a ‘rising tide’ of cancer, heart disease and diabetes because of poor lifestyles. Stevens said that problem is becoming normal due to junk food and sugary drinks and that millions of parents are not even aware their offspring are seriously overweight.

"Even if you cannot get to a gym, there are lots of stuff you can do at home like walking or running things you can incorporate into a circuit. So one minute of five things like star jumps; all the things you used to do at school," Trybowska recommended. 

Latest figures for England suggest around 60 per cent of adults are overweight or obese. But the figure is expected to rise to two thirds of women and three quarters of men by 2030.

Experts have also warned that obesity will cost the economy £22.9 billion a year by 2050 through treatment for illness, sick days and benefits.

It estimates that health problems associated with being overweight or obese will cost the economy £22.9 billion a year by 2050 through treatment for illness, sick days and benefits.

HH/PHX

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