FACTS THAT ARE NEEDED (Click Here)

Avoiding childhood obesity

This factsheet is for parents who have obese children or want to know more about childhood obesity.

Children need lots of energy because they are growing. A varied and nutritious diet is essential for their development. However, like adults, if they take in more energy - in the form of food - than they use up, the extra energy is stored in their bodies as fat.

In the UK an estimated one in four 11 to 15 year olds are overweight or obese - and the problem is growing every year.

CLICK ON SUB-HEADINGS BELOW TO ACCESS FURTHER INFORMATION:

A serious problem
Why are more children overweight?
What is a healthy weight for a child?
Maintaining a healthy weight
The emotional factors
Prevention
Further information
Sources

WHAT CAUSES OBESITY (Click Here)

What causes it?

Obesity is caused by two simple factors - an unhealthy diet (typically too rich in sugar and fats) and not doing enough exercise to burn off the calories consumed. Occasionally, there are other factors, for example in a rare genetic condition called Prader-Willi syndrome there may be problems with controlling hunger. Hypothyroidism and Cushing's syndrome can also cause obesity.