Rising childhood obesity from pandemic will cost UK billions
Faculty of Medicine researchers have led a new study which reveals a dramatic increase in child obesity levels during the pandemic is set to cost the UK over £8 billion.
Obesity rose by 45 percent in reception pupils between 2019/20 and 2020/21, according to the analysis from over a million children in England.
While the number of four- and five-year-olds who are overweight has returned to pre-pandemic levels, tens of thousands more year six children are living with obesity than expected.
These children are facing lifelong health consequences, as most overweight children will become overweight adults.
The new study was led by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Southampton Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) and the University of Southampton, in collaboration with researchers from the NIHR Imperial BRC. It has been published in PLOS ONE.
Southampton researchers say the spiralling cost and differences between age groups highlight the need for more action to improve children’s health at an early age.