Shocking scale of Britain’s child obesity crisis revealed with 400 kids on fat jabs

More than 6,000 dangerously overweight kids have been treated at specialist NHS clinics in the last five years, according to figures that lay bare the scale of Britain’s childhood obesity crisis. Health service data shows the total included hundreds of four-year-olds weighing an average of 33kg (5st 3lbs), which is more than a typical 10-year-old.

Almost a fifth of children needing specialist treatment were suffering from high blood pressure, 6% had type 2 diabetes, and 18% had abnormal levels of fat in their blood, which can be a sign of early heart disease. Around 400 have been prescribed weight loss jabs, typically starting from the age of 11. The children received care at 39 Complications from Excess Weight (CEW) clinics for severely obese children in England, which have been rolled out since 2021.

Patients can be referred if they have a body mass index above the 99.6 percentile — meaning they would be among the four most overweight of 1,000 people in their age group — and an illness linked to excess weight.

Katharine Jenner, executive director of the Obesity Health Alliance, said the numbers “should be a wake-up call”.

She added: “Seeing children as young as four needing specialist NHS treatment for their weight highlights just how early the drivers of poor health are taking hold.

“Children today are growing up surrounded by unhealthy food at almost every turn — online, on the high street, at home and beyond — leaving families struggling against a system that stacks the odds against healthier options.

“The fact that some children are already developing high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and early signs of heart disease at such a young age underlines why prevention has to begin in the earliest years of life.”

The figures released by NHS England show the clinics have treated 6,497 children aged between four and 17, including 423 four-year-olds.

There were 1,088 children aged five to eight, 1,791 aged nine to 12 and 3,137 aged 13 to 17. The age of a further 58 young people was unknown.

Dr Helen Stewart, officer for health development at the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, said the data was “extremely concerning”.

She added: “Unfortunately, high levels of obesity continue to cause significant health problems in our young people, particularly impacting children from the most disadvantaged backgrounds, where children with obesity are at higher risk of chronic illnesses, mental health issues and potentially even a shorter life span.”

Children treated at CEWs were an average of 10kg lighter two years later than comparable kids who do not receive care from the clinics, according to NHS England. Bespoke packages can include diet plans, mental health support and coaching.

Professor Simon Kenny, NHS England’s national clinical director for children and young people, said CEWs were "helping thousands of children and young people turn their lives around".

He added: “In some cases, these clinics are helping children who could otherwise face a life cut tragically short, dying decades too soon, to look ahead to a full and healthy life.”

Analysis of a subset of children revealed 29% had metabolic dysfunction-associated liver disease and 17% had high blood pressure. Some 9% had anxiety, 29% had autism, 12% had ADHD and 24% had a learning disability.

Around one in four children start primary school overweight or obese, rising to more than one in three by the age of 10 or 11.

Prof Kenny added: “Childhood obesity remains one of the biggest public health challenges facing the country, and the NHS is committed to stepping in early to help prevent serious long-term health complications.”

A study that will be presented at the European Congress on Obesity in Istanbul this week found young people supported by CEWs maintained more weight loss than those who only got help from community and GP services.

The clinics have also been successful at reaching underserved patients, such as those from more deprived areas, minority ethnic groups, or with complex neurodevelopmental needs.