It is well documented that the prevalence of childhood and adolescent obesity in the UK is high and has a number of adverse effects. Overweight and obese children are likely to stay obese into adulthood and more likely to develop conditions such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease at a younger age. Childhood obesity has also been linked to social inequalities and other negative effects, including impaired psychological health.
However, we also know that childhood weight problems and obesity – and related diseases – can be prevented, which should make prevention work a high national priority.
A key challenge for policymakers, public health practitioners and others is that the public and the media are somewhat ambivalent about this issue. If anything, excess weight is often seen as an "appearance" issue, rather than one concerning health and wellbeing.
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