Majority of Children in England to be Overweight or Obese by 2035, Projects Warn
Am alarming future awaits children in England, as projections indicate that by 2035, a significant majority could be classified as either overweight or obese in 90% of the country. According to concerning data analyzed by the Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH), more than a third (36%) of primary school children are already struggling with weight issues, while the analysis anticipates this number to skyrocket to 41% by 2034-35. The numbers are expected to rise in 136 out of 151 local authority areas over the next decade, with nine areas possibly seeing over 50% of children affected. Blackpool, Knowsley, Sandwell, Barking and Dagenham, Wolverhampton, Walsall, Newham, Luton, and Nottingham are predicted to be the worst hit.
Prime causes of this crisis, according to William Roberts, the CEO of RSPH, include unhealthy food and low activity levels. Obesity in childhood leads to problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and mental health issues. Roberts emphasized the need for easier access to healthier eating and more physical activities to prevent this trend. However, there is also a call for a transformation of the commercial food system, which is seen as a major contributor to these health problems by Katharine Jenner of the Obesity Health Alliance.
The RSPH’s report advocates for encouraging more physical activity in schools, stating this as a key to combating child obesity. Yet, the solution may also require broader actions, including policy changes to address the commercial food environment. The projections not only highlight the urgency of the situation but also indicate the disproportionate impact it will have, with children in more deprived areas set to be the most affected. Addressing this crisis is seen as imperative for the health of the next generation and for the sustainability of the NHS.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/jun/23/majority-children-overweight-obese-nine-areas-england-by-2035-study
