Thousands of overweight children in Scotland, including tots as young as two, have been referred for specialist help.
Since 2020/21, more than 4,000 youngsters, some still nursery age, have been referred by NHS Scotland health boards for weight management assistance.
The specialist services involve a host of experts, including dietitians, psychologists and health coaches who are all tasked with helping the overweight children and their parents make changes to their lifestyle.
The number of children needing interventions has led campaigners and politicians to accuse the Scottish Government of failing in its promise to fix the country’s obesity epidemic.
Tam Fry, chairman of the National Obesity Forum, said: ‘Scotland has failed to properly address the prevention of obesity.
‘We have spent years and years really doing nothing to ensure that children in their pre-school years get the kind of attention that will stop them becoming too fat too early.’
The Mail asked all of Scotland’s health boards to provide data on the number of children referred to a paediatric weight management programme.
The responses revealed that since 2020/21, at least 4,307 children have been sent for specialist help.
Thousands of children in Scotland have been referred to specialists for help with their weight ~(file image)
NHS Ayrshire and Arran said it refers some children as young as two to a healthy weight management programme.
Meanwhile, NHS Lothian said that while they accept referrals for all ages, children even under two could be referred for weight management help, following an initial check with a paediatric hospital specialist to rule out any related serious medical conditions.
Some health boards saw an increase in referral rates over the period covered.
The findings follow a recent report by advocacy organisation Obesity Action which found that the rates of overweight children across Scotland are ‘growing alarmingly’, with almost a fifth of children (18 per cent) at risk of obesity.
The report also revealed the devastating possible impacts of childhood obesity, such as poor mental health and low self-esteem, alongside an abundance of health risks both now and in later life.
These include high blood pressure and cholesterol, breathing and joint problems, alongside fatty liver disease.
Socioeconomic inequalities such as poverty are also considered to be a factor in childhood weight increase.
The Scottish Government has a target of halving childhood obesity by 2030.
In Scotland, almost 30 per cent of all children are overweight or obese (file image)
However, Mr Fry said ‘no target to beat obesity has been met in the last 30 years.
Instead, they need a proper strategy that helps families prevent their children from becoming fat in the first place.’
In Scotland, almost 30 per cent of all children are overweight or obese.
Scottish Conservative public health spokesman Brian Whittle said: ‘There is something very wrong with the health of our nation when children as young as two are in need of specialist weight management services.
‘These figures should be a stark warning to {Health Secretary}Neil Gray and the SNP government that more action is needed.’
Public Health Minister Jenni Minto said: ‘We support initiatives across the country to improve the health of our children and their families.
‘These include the Scottish Milk and Healthy Snack Scheme and maintaining support for convenience stores, predominantly in areas of higher deprivation, to make healthier food and drink more accessible. We also fund community food networks, supporting them to increase access to affordable, healthier food and to promote the health benefits of nutrition and physical activity.’
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
