Local Council Reverses Obesity Increase

percentage of Year 6 children classified as obese has decreased by 1.2 percent

Proof that tougher action in dealing with childhood obesity problems is the way forward has been provided by the UK local council Waltham Forest.  When this council announced a policy that it would prevent fast food outlets from opening up near schools there was an uproar, and many people said it would make no difference but the latest figures tell a different story.

According to figures compiled by the National Health Service the percentage of children in Year 6 classified as obese has decreased by 1.2 percent. The figures also show that there have been small reductions in the percentage of children who are classified as overweight. The council said that their policy had helped to prevent the ongoing increase in the number of children classified as obese or overweight in just a year and that other councils should follow the policy of preventing any new unhealthy food takeaway outlets within 400 metres of schools. They also have enacted a ban on fast food restaurants near parks and leisure centres.

Fast food outlets specifically target children in their advertising and at Ukmedix News we believe that this relentless promotion of unhealthy food to children plays a large part in the obesity crisis of the United Kingdom. Waltham Forest Council said that fifteen other local councils around the United Kingdom had contacted them with the intention of setting up similar regulations.

Like many good ideas this one did not have an easy time at the beginning with many people saying that it was draconian and against civil liberties. In fact a petition was even organised and handed into the Waltham Forest Council arguing that the closure of one restaurant was unfair and the decision should be reversed. Waltham Forest Council still has a long way to go because around twenty percent of all Year 6 pupils are still obese and even ten percent of reception age children are obese.

This campaign directed at fast food restaurants has been far more effective than handing out leaflets and giving people nutritional advice and it is hoped that the UK government will sit up and take notice of Waltham Forest Council who have shown that when it comes to obesity prevention they mean business!