exclusive
by ALISON BELLAMY
THE number of obese children in Leeds has rocketed to 22,500 – and the epidemic is increasing every year.
The problem is affecting children as young as five, with almost 800 primary class pupils in the city now classed as obese.
Public health bosses have drawn up a radical 10-year action plan to halt the increase in obesity in children under 10.
And a new childhood obesity champion will be created.
If the number of obese children is not dealt with, the cost to the NHS will run into billions of pounds to treat heart problems, diabetes and cancer, doctors say.
Junk food, a lack of exercise and too much time in front of the television and computer are partially to blame, as well as poor diet at home.
An estimated 45,000 Leeds youngsters under 19 are classed as overweight, with half of them classed as obese The ideal weight for a healthy five year old should be 2st 13lbs, or 17.5kgs – but that weight is more than doubled in obese children.
A Leeds childhood obesity strategy for the next ten years has now been drawn up by a panel of health, community and education experts. It aims to prevent weight gain through a programme of healthy eating, more exercise and less junk food.
The strategy wants to see two hours of PE at school each week.
And the health implications of overweight and obese children are massive, says a Leeds doctor who has helped compile the new report.
Not only does it mean children are more at risk from heart disease, diabetes and arthritis, it can lead to problems sleeping, stress, depression, a psychological impact, low self esteem and the risk of being bullied.
It is likely they will also become obese adults.
Dr Ian Cameron, director of public health for Leeds North West, said: " is a serious problem which is becoming worse year on year. We are seeing younger children with obesity, more than ever before, even before the age of five."
Future plans for Leeds support the existing Watch It community programme run in sports centre and the Carnegie Weight Management Programme run by Leeds Metropolitan University.
Dr Cameron said of the 180,000 children under 19 in Leeds a quarter are over weight, and a half of those are obese. There are more fat girls and fat boys.
Bullied
James Jackson who topped the scales at 22 stones said he was bullied from the age of five.
He has now cut out take-aways and junk food and is training to be a gym instructor.
He attended the Leeds fat camp for three years and has now applied for a post as leader at the camp, run by the Carnegie Weight Loss Course at Leeds Metropolitan University.
"I was bullied all the way through school. It started at around five, they used to call me all the names under the sun you can think of, anything to do with being fat and porky.
"It continued through high school, then at the age of 13, I started to get into dance."
James is now a student at Dewsbury College, and is studying to be a gym and aerobics instructor. He now weighs 17 stone and is 5ft 8 ins tall. He is also a part-time dancer.
James, 18, from Huddersfield, said: "I have cut out all McDonalds, KFC and junk food. I do have the occasional chocolate bar, but in moderation."
Nationally, targets have been set by the government departments with responsibility for health, education and sport.
By 2010, ministers want to halt the year on year increase in obesity among children under 11.
alison.bellamy@ypn.co.uk