Childhood Obesity Levelling off In England

Alarmist suggestions of a big jump in childhood obesity in England have been dramatically reduced after some new findings were release this week.

The research, carried out by The National Heart Forum, revealed that the rate of increase in obesity striking English children may be showing signs of weakening.

Its recent data indicates that the proportion of English boys aged between 2 and 11 who will suffer from obesity will be at 30% by 2020, and not 42% as originally suggested.

As for girls in the same age category, the revised number is now 27%, significantly down from 48% previously estimated.

The revised numbers also show a large slide in the rate of obese and overweight teenagers aged between 12 and 19.

These recent findings represent the first encouraging sign in decades, as rates of obese children had been continually rising in England, mirroring the situation of many developed countries since the 1970s.

Similar numbers have also been witnessed in many other nations, including France, Denmark and the US.

England currently possesses 1.5 million kids who suffer from excess weight or obesity, opening the door for a jump in such deceases as cancer, type 2 diabetes and heart problems.

The Department of Health wants to reduce the number of obese or overweight kids in England to the 2000 rate by the year 2020.

The National Heart Forum came up with the new data by looking at information recorded for England’s Health Survey between the years 2000 to 2007.

Previously made suggestions had been based on information collected for the same study but for the years between 1993 and 2004.

The Department of Health’s research team claimed that it is unclear why weight levels may have tapered off, but explained that interventions by the British Governement and media coverage may have contributed to a higher level of awareness in respect to the health concerns linked with the condition.