A north Wales health board is setting up a specialist unit to address the increase of childhood obesity after data from their Childhood Measurement Programme showed that 30.3% of four- to five-year-olds were measured as obese.

With the Welsh national average at around 26.4%, doctors are concerned that due to the pandemic, these figures may worsen.

However, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board is not alone in sharing their concerns surrounding the increase of childhood obesity during the pandemic.  The Association of UK Dietitians has pointed to evidence suggesting that the pandemic may already be influencing our children’s lifestyles and in turn increasing their risk of becoming either overweight or obese. 

Childhood obesity has been of concern for decades with rates rising across the UK. However, with children facing more home confinement due to lockdowns, a decreased amount of time being involved in physical activity and a change in both routine and increase in high calorie foods during the course of the pandemic; there are rising concerns as to the result of this impact on children’s health.

The Intensive Care National Audit and Research Centre in the UK has reported that around 31.4% of all critically ill patients admitted to hospital with Coronavirus, had a BMI (Body Mass Index) of more than 30 (which is considered to be obese) was ‘strongly associated’ with Covid-19 complications. 

There are numerous health impacts relating to childhood obesity including early signs of cardiovascular disease such as high blood pressure or high cholesterol, Type 2 diabetes, knee and joint pain as well as psychological issues. 

In a recent interview with the BBC, Steven Grayston, assistant area director of therapy services for Betsi Cadwaladr health board said; ‘We’re very concerned about the impact of Covid and the pandemic on children’s activity levels, certainly in terms of team-based sports and access to leisure facilities – particularly things like swimming.’

In response to these findings the Welsh Government has advised; ‘We will shortly be publishing a revised delivery plan for Healthy Weight; Healthy Wales for 2021-22, which will focus on the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on children and families.’

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Carrie Plummer - Editor & Content Manager