"Since the first Complications from Excess Weight clinic (CEW) opened in 2021, the NHS has treated 6,497 children and teenagers. Of these, 423 were four years old, 1,088 were aged between five and eight, 1,791 were aged nine to 12 and 3,137 were aged between 13 and 17. The age of a further 58 is unknown. All were extremely overweight for their age, with the four-year-olds weighing an average of 33kg (5st 3lbs), the same weight as a typical 10-year-old."
"About 400 of the children treated by CEWs have had weight loss jabs as part of their treatment plans. In order to be treated at a CEW, children must be referred by a community or hospital paediatrician, a GP or childhood mental health services and have a BMI above the 99.6th percentile as well as an illness linked to their excess weight."
"New analysis of just under 6,000 children treated by CEWs, due to be presented at the European Congress on Obesity, in Istanbul, found that 17% had high blood pressure and a similar number had abnormal fat levels in their blood, while 6% had type 2 diabetes. The research, by Sheffield Hallam University, Leeds Beckett University, the University of Leeds, the University of Bristol and the University of Sheffield, found that just under 30% had metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease and 17% had obstructive sleep apnoea."
"About 9% had deliberately self-harmed, and the same proportion had anxiety. A significant number were neurodivergent. Just under 30% had autism and about 12% had attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. A further 24% had a learning disability. Experts said the figures were extremely worrying and called for immediate action to curb sales of junk food and make healthier food cheaper."
NHS England data shows 6,497 children and teenagers have received treatment at specialist NHS weight-loss clinics since the first Complications from Excess Weight clinic opened in 2021. The treated group includes 423 children aged four, 1,088 aged five to eight, 1,791 aged nine to 12, and 3,137 aged 13 to 17, with 58 ages unknown. Children were extremely overweight for their age, with four-year-olds averaging 33kg. About 400 children received weight loss jabs. Eligibility requires referral and a BMI above the 99.6th percentile plus an illness linked to excess weight. Among nearly 6,000 analyzed, 17% had high blood pressure, 6% had type 2 diabetes, and many had metabolic, sleep, neurodevelopmental, and mental health conditions.
#childhood-obesity #nhs-weight-loss-clinics #metabolic-and-cardiovascular-complications #type-2-diabetes #neurodevelopmental-and-mental-health
Read at www.theguardian.com
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