Parliamentary group urges greater focus on maternal health to tackle childhood obesity

A report on maternal obesity by the All Parliamentary Party Group (APPG) on Fit and Healthy Childhood says the government's 2016 childhood obesity strategy contains "vague statements" that are unfit to tackle the problem. In addition, it says the strategy saying nothing about the important role that maternal obesity plays in childhood obesity is a serious omission.

Most recent figures from the National Child Measurement programme show that one in five 11-year-olds in England is obese.

It calls for the strategy to be revised to include a focus on maternal health during pregnancy, because of the likelihood that a child will be obese and have higher risk of developing chronic illness if their mother is obese.

Health visitors are key to achieving better health for women pre-conception and during pregnancy, and the APPG recommends their numbers be increased.

Latest NHS figures show the number of health visitors has fallen 10 per cent since October 2015.

The report says health visitors and midwives now have less time to spend with women at antenatal appointments discussing healthy eating, lifestyle and the impact of obesity on their child.

A review of healthcare professionals' training, at undergraduate and postgraduate level, and inclusion of evidence-based information enabling them to broach the subject of obesity confidently and sensitively, is also needed, the report says. 

In addition, the report suggests the government run a public health campaign to raise awareness of the links between parental health and obesity and chronic disease in childhood, targeting both men and women. This should also form part of an integrated national approach to reducing obesity in young people and establishing a commitment to healthy lifestyles and eating habits for life.

The links that parental obesity has with poverty and mental ill health are also highlighted in the report, echoing concerns raised by medical royal colleges last month. The group recommends better targeting of support at poorest parents and those most at risk of mental health problems.

The report also recommends making it mandatory to weigh all pregnant women at each antenatal appointment, to reduce stigma around who is weighed, convey the importance of a healthy weight and to provide an entry point for the conversation.

In March, the health select committee described the childhood obesity strategy as a "missed opportunity".