Daily roundup 21 May: Obesity, dentist visits, and historic child abuse

Tackling obesity and diabetes will be a major priority for the new Conservative government, Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt has said. The Guardian reports that in his first speech since being reappointed to the role, Hunt said there would be a focus on public health. “I think it is a great scandal that one in five children leave primary school clinically obese and it is something that we cannot say that we accept," he said.


Two in five children in England are not visiting a dentist every 12 months as recommended by health officials, new figures have revealed. The Daily Mail reports that figures from the Health & Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC) show that the number of children seen by an NHS dentist in the 12 months up to 31 March was 7.1 million, equating to 61.4 per cent of the child population.


Police across the country are investigating more than 1,400 men – including 261 high-profile individuals – over allegations of historic child abuse. The Guardian reports that figures from police forces in England and Wales show that 1,433 men have been identified in reports of alleged abuse by victims, since the operation was set up in 2014.


An inspection of Warwickshire and West Mercia Police's custody operations has found that 30 children were detained in police cells "inappropriately". The Worcester News reports that in one case HM Inspectorate of Constabulary found a 14-year-old boy was identified as not being at risk despite his disclosure of very recent self-harm.


Most parents believe that children who camp in the great outdoors at least once a year do better at school, according to a new study. Research led by Sue Waite, associate professor at Plymouth University's Institute of Education, revealed that four out of five parents believe camping has a positive effect on their children's school education. The Plymouth Herald reports that the study found that 98 per cent of parents believe camping makes their children appreciate and connect with nature.