The Epidemics
Children and young people make up a third of the population and their health and wellbeing is a top priority, but our young people are increasingly exposed to two childhood epidemics – obesity and mental distress.
Childhood obesity in the UK is a major public health problem. In 2017/2018, more than one in five children in the first year of primary school were overweight or obese. By the time children leave primary school this figure will have risen to one in three.
This burden is not spread equally; at the age of 10/11yrs, children in the most deprived areas are almost twice as likely to be obese than those in more affluent areas. Obese children often become obese teenagers and adults.
Childhood overweight and obesity are linked to greater risks of many chronic diseases later, especially Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, muscle and joint problems and some types of cancer. Obesity is estimated to cost the NHS over £4 billion every year.
Overweight and obesity can reduce children’s self-esteem and lead to lower educational attainment and behavioural problems. The causes of obesity in childhood are linked to poor diet, lack of physical exercise and a sedentary lifestyle.
Mental health issues in children and young people are a significant and growing concern; mental health issues often develop early and, between the ages of 5-15, one in every eight children has a mental disorder. Half of all mental health problems are established by the age of 14 and yet 70% of children and adolescents who experience mental health problems have not had appropriate interventions at a sufficiently early age.
Mental ill-health affects everyone to a greater or lesser extent. Mental ill-health cost many thousands of early deaths and over £105 billion a year in England, £9 billion a year in Scotland, £7 billion a year in Wales and £3 billion a year in Northern Ireland.
These figures are believed to be an underestimate. Optimal treatment for mental disorders will only avert 28% of the burden of mental illness, highlighting the need for prevention.
Covid-19 and the measures taken to counter it have caused huge health and economic harm that makes supporting mentally healthier communities even more important.