Latest news with #RSPH
The Independent
23-06-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Nine UK council areas where majority of children will be overweight within the decade
The Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH) warns that childhood obesity is projected to worsen significantly, with 41 per cent of year six students expected to be overweight or obese by 2035. Analysis indicates that for the first time, more than 50 per cent of children in nine specific UK council areas could be overweight or obese by 2035. Blackpool is predicted to have the highest rate at 54 per cent, with other areas like Knowsley, Sandwell, Barking and Dagenham, Wolverhampton, Walsall, Newham, Luton, and Nottingham also facing high rates. The RSPH's report is based on modelling data from the government's national child measurement programme, showing current primary school leaver obesity at 36 per cent. The report recommends revising the Ofsted inspection framework to promote wellbeing and physical activity in schools, and calls for a national Youth Physical Activity strategy.
Yahoo
23-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Majority of UK children will be overweight or obese in nine areas by 2035
Experts have warned childhood obesity is 'heading in the wrong direction' with the majority of children expected to be overweight or obese in nine UK council areas in the next decade. The Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH) has estimated 41 per cent of year six students will be overweight or obese by 2035, with 90 per cent of the country set to see rates worsen. Analysis seen by The Guardian also shows that, for the first time since records began, more than 50 per cent of children in nine regions will be overweight or obese. 'As a nation we're failing the test on childhood obesity,' William Roberts, Chief Executive of RSPH said. 'Our projections show that we are heading in the wrong direction on obesity, with children in some of the most deprived areas set to be worst affected.' The RSPH's new report is based off modelling of data from the government's national child measurement programme which covers mainstream state-maintained schools. Data shows child obesity in primary school leavers was 36 per cent in 2023-2024. But the RSPH has warned this could rise sharply to 41 per cent in the coming years after analysing data from the programme from 2009 onwards. The report has also found that rates of overweight children are expected to rise in 136 of 151 local authority areas in the next ten years. The nine worst affected areas are predicted to see rates rise above 50 per cent by 2035, meaning the majority of children aged 10 to 11 in these areas will be overweight of obese. According to The Guardian, the highest rate could be seen in Blackpool, where 54 per cent of children are predicted to be overweight or obese in ten years. Knowsley, Sandwell, Barking and Dagenham are all expected to see a rate of 52 per cent, while 51 per cent of children in Wolverhampton, Walsall and Newham are predicted to be overweight. Luton and Nottingham have a 50 per cent predicted rate of children being obese or overweight. The report, called Playground Rules, calls for the new Ofsted inspection framework to highlight the work schools do to promote wellbeing and physical activity. It also recommends that PE should be revised to encourage a specific focus on increasing physical activity across the school day, rather than the narrow confines of PE lessons. The report also advises that the government publish a national Youth Physical Activity strategy, setting out what is expected from both schools and other parts of the public sector. Mr Roberts said: 'The habits we form as children last a lifetime. Making physical activity the default in schools will go along away in helping to build a healthier future. Rather than seeing physical activity as something that happens for two hours a week in PE, we need to see it as an integral part of the whole curriculum. '
The Independent
23-06-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Majority of UK children will be overweight or obese in nine areas by 2035
Experts have warned childhood obesity is 'heading in the wrong direction' with the majority of children expected to be overweight or obese in nine UK council areas in the next decade. The Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH) has estimated 41 per cent of year six students will be overweight or obese by 2035, with 90 per cent of the country set to see rates worsen. Analysis seen by The Guardian also shows that, for the first time since records began, more than 50 per cent of children in nine regions will be overweight or obese. 'As a nation we're failing the test on childhood obesity,' William Roberts, Chief Executive of RSPH said. 'Our projections show that we are heading in the wrong direction on obesity, with children in some of the most deprived areas set to be worst affected.' The RSPH's new report is based off modelling of data from the government's national child measurement programme which covers mainstream state-maintained schools. Data shows child obesity in primary school leavers was 36 per cent in 2023-2024. But the RSPH has warned this could rise sharply to 41 per cent in the coming years after analysing data from the programme from 2009 onwards. The report has also found that rates of overweight children are expected to rise in 136 of 151 local authority areas in the next ten years. The nine worst affected areas are predicted to see rates rise above 50 per cent by 2035, meaning the majority of children aged 10 to 11 in these areas will be overweight of obese. According to The Guardian, the highest rate could be seen in Blackpool, where 54 per cent of children are predicted to be overweight or obese in ten years. Knowsley, Sandwell, Barking and Dagenham are all expected to see a rate of 52 per cent, while 51 per cent of children in Wolverhampton, Walsall and Newham are predicted to be overweight. Luton and Nottingham have a 50 per cent predicted rate of children being obese or overweight. The report, called Playground Rules, calls for the new Ofsted inspection framework to highlight the work schools do to promote wellbeing and physical activity. It also recommends that PE should be revised to encourage a specific focus on increasing physical activity across the school day, rather than the narrow confines of PE lessons. The report also advises that the government publish a national Youth Physical Activity strategy, setting out what is expected from both schools and other parts of the public sector. Mr Roberts said: 'The habits we form as children last a lifetime. Making physical activity the default in schools will go along away in helping to build a healthier future. Rather than seeing physical activity as something that happens for two hours a week in PE, we need to see it as an integral part of the whole curriculum. '
The Guardian
23-06-2025
- Health
- The Guardian
Majority of children will be overweight or obese in nine areas of England by 2035, study shows
The majority of children will be overweight or obese in nine areas of England by 2035, according to 'deeply concerning' projections showing child obesity rates are set to worsen across 90% of the country. More than a third of primary school children (36%) are already overweight or obese, figures from the government's national child measurement programme show. Modelling by the Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH), seen by the Guardian, predicts the proportion of year 6 pupils affected will increase to four in 10 (41%) by 2034-35. In total, rates of overweight or obese children will rise in 136 of 151 local authority areas (90%) in the next decade, the analysis suggests. And for the first time since records began, rates are projected to top 50% in nine council areas, which means there will be more overweight or obese 10- and 11-year-olds in those areas than not. They are Blackpool (54%), Knowsley (52%), Sandwell (52%), Barking and Dagenham (52%), Wolverhampton (51%), Walsall (51%), Newham (51%), Luton (50%) and Nottingham (50%). In an interview with the Guardian, William Roberts, the chief executive of the RSPH, said the causes of the crisis were 'wide-ranging' but junk food and low levels of activity were 'major factors'. 'Obesity in childhood leads to several complex health problems that can last a lifetime,' he said. 'These include diabetes, high blood pressure, certain types of cancer and poor mental health. Making it easier for children to move around and eat healthily is a key part of preventing this.' Roberts, who previously held senior roles in the NHS, said: 'As a nation we're failing the test on childhood obesity. Our projections show that we are heading in the wrong direction on obesity, with children in some of the most deprived areas set to be worst affected.' The latest data from the government's national child measurement programme, which covers mainstream state-maintained schools, shows the percentage of children leaving primary school in England overweight or obese was 36% in 2023-24. A report by the RSPH, due to be published this week and seen by the Guardian, analysed data from the programme going back to 2009-10, when the figure was 33%. The RSPH projects the rate will increase to 39% by 2029-30 and climb to 41% by 2034-35. The 18-page report, Playground Rules, calls on the government to encourage greater levels of physical activity in schools, which it argues is key to curbing child obesity. However, Katharine Jenner, the director of the Obesity Health Alliance, said ministers must also bring in reforms 'to fix the commercial food system that is causing soaring rates of childhood ill-health'. She added: 'This is a national issue, but the impact is felt locally – by families, schools and already stretched health services. With over a third of our children, in some areas up to a half, projected to be overweight or living with obesity in the coming years, we're facing longer NHS waiting lists and a generation of children too unwell to run, play or thrive.' Blackpool is not only projected to have the highest proportion of overweight or obese children in England by 2034-35, but is also predicted to have the largest rise in rates over the next decade, according to the analysis. Chris Webb, the Labour MP for Blackpool South, said: 'These projections from the RSPH are deeply concerning – but they don't have to be our future. With the right action and investment, we can turn the tide on child obesity and build a healthier Blackpool.' Webb said the country's 'broken food system' was to blame. Local initiatives like Grow Blackpool, a food growing project in the town's largest housing estate, Grange Park, could help, he said. Sign up to First Edition Our morning email breaks down the key stories of the day, telling you what's happening and why it matters after newsletter promotion The project enables people to access healthy, cheap food with a local, sustainable food system that tackles both obesity and poverty, Webb said. 'The link between poverty and poor health is undeniable, so this government's work to address deep-rooted deprivation is vital,' he added. However, Cathy Cliff, the campaigns coordinator of the Soil Association, said child obesity rates were increasing because successive governments had failed to regulate ultra-processed food (UPF) companies. In May, a Guardian investigation revealed how Rishi Sunak's government dropped legal guidance urging retailers to offer deals on healthy food after a secret lobbying campaign by UPF firms. Five days later, the Guardian reported how Keir Starmer's government was delaying the launch of a ban on junk food adverts targeting children until 2026, sparking outrage among health campaigners. 'The UK government must use the upcoming food strategy to regulate and tax the unhealthiest foods and make it genuinely easy for everyone to enjoy a minimally processed diet,' said Cliff. David Fothergill, the chair of the community wellbeing board of the Local Government Association, which represents local authorities, said the RSPH projections were 'stark' and highlighted a 'ticking health timebomb'. 'To effectively tackle obesity, councils need funding to provide targeted support to those who need it the most,' he said. 'Money raised from the soft drinks industry levy should also be reinvested in other council-run programmes, including healthy eating programmes and active play and physical exercise schemes.' The government said it was determined to give every child the best start in life. 'That is why we are acting quickly with experts across the sector to revise the school food standards, so every school is supported with the latest nutrition guidance,' a spokesperson added. 'We are also considering how best to build physical activity into the lives of children and adults as part of our mission to boost the nation's health.'
South Wales Guardian
14-05-2025
- Health
- South Wales Guardian
UK high streets falling ‘short of mark' promoting health and well-being
Some 87% of people surveyed for the Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH) say their high street does not have enough of at least one of the essential amenities needed for healthy living, including green space to rest or exercise, socialising spaces such as cafes or pubs, infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists, good transport links or even safe and clean areas. The charity's Streets Ahead report found that 53% of the public, equivalent to 36 million people, say their local high street does not have enough shops selling healthy food. The RSPH is calling for changes to the tax system to make online retailers increase their contributions, with the money raised being used to improve the high street. It also wants the Government to require businesses and landlords to work with local authorities to help create 'healthy high street' plans in order to get approval for private developments on or around high streets. The report suggests that high streets could 'hold the key' to promoting healthier behaviour among the general population, which could reverse rising rates of ill health. As it stands, the report claims the UK's high streets fall 'well short of the mark' on promoting health and well-being in the population. RSPH chief executive William Roberts said: 'High streets are an essential part of our society. For hundreds of years, they have been a cornerstone and they shape our experiences and our lives. 'For far too long we have allowed the gradual decline of our high streets to continue. 'Instead of the bustling hubs of community they once were, we have become far too used to seeing boarded up shops and our high streets lined with businesses that perpetuate ill health. 'We can do better. We want everyone in this country to feel that their local high street is good for their health and to be proud of their local areas. People want to be healthy and the places they spend time in need to support them to make healthier choices. 'For us, healthy places includes healthy high streets. We need to be ambitious for our high streets and that ambition to be backed up by action. This landmark new report sets out a road map for change at a national and local level.' Deltapoll surveyed 1,988 UK adults online March 3-11.
