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£10.99A recent study has revealed that child obesity clinics in England are encountering a troubling trend of children with body mass index (BMI) scores exceeding 50. The research, conducted by Leeds Beckett, Sheffield Hallam, Leeds, and Bristol universities, and presented at the European Congress on Obesity, highlighted that out of nearly 4,800 under-18s referred to these clinics since their inception in 2021, a significant number are severely obese, with 40 of them having a BMI over 50.
Moreover, the study found that a disproportionate number of children referred to these clinics hail from the most deprived areas in England. Additionally, a considerable portion of the children attending these clinics also have underlying health conditions or are neurodivergent. To address these complex cases, the clinics offer mental health support and care for other health conditions, in addition to dietary advice.
Specialist excess weight clinics which cater to severely obese children aged 2-17 in England are operated by multi-disciplinary teams comprising paediatricians, psychologists, and dieticians. The research, which took a close look at 32 of these clinics, indicated that over 40% of the children seeking help lived in the most deprived neighborhoods. Data from more than 3,000 child patients revealed that a significant proportion of them had other health issues, including autism (24%), learning disabilities (23%), and liver disease (30%).
In response to the pressing concerns raised by these findings, Professor Simon Kenny, national clinical director at NHS England, expressed shock at the challenges faced by these young individuals and their families. He emphasized the importance of addressing the issue of child obesity, highlighting that it not only impacts their physical health but also has significant implications for their education and future employment opportunities. The NHS is committed to providing the necessary support to prevent these children from developing long-term health issues
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