A THIRD of Rugby children are obese or overweight when they leave school, according to shocking new statistics.
The Government’s Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC) says around 380 Year Six schoolchildren in Rugby are at an unhealthy weight – with a higher risk of developing heart disease later in adulthood.
Many are blaming the TV advertising of junk food shown during family television programmes such as the X Factor – which attracts an audience of around 1.2 million children aged 4-15.
Current regulations mean foods high in fat, salt and sugar are banned from being advertised during children’s programming – but new Ofcom figures show two thirds of children watch TV during what is called ‘adult airtime’.
The British Heart Foundation has responded by calling for a ban on all junk food TV advertising before 9pm, as part of the Government’s Childhood Obesity Strategy to help improve children’s health.
Mike Hobday, Director of Policy at the BHF, said: “It’s worrying that so many children in Rugby are obese or overweight. Carrying excess weight into adulthood increases the risk of developing heart disease in later life.
“We must not allow food companies to continue to exploit a failing regulatory system that allows them to bombard TV screens with junk food adverts at the times when the highest numbers of children are watching TV.
“We need to protect young people against the sophisticated marketing techniques of junk food advertisers to help tackle the obesity crisis which threatens the heart health of future generations.”
Warwickshire County Council has already set up free healthy school meal plans and “healthy eating on a budget” guides for residents.
Visit www.warwickshire.gov.uk/healthyeating for more information.
Visit www.bhf.org.uk/junkfood for more information about the BHF’s campaign.
