Revealed: Fife kids too fat too young
MORE than a quarter of primary one school pupils in Fife are overweight.
The latest statistics show that more than one in four youngsters aged four and five are above the accepted healthy weight levels for their age.
And Fife was the worst region out of eight in Scotland which were surveyed for child obesity.
In our P1 classes, 26.1 per cent of pupils were overweight compared to 23 per cent the previous year, with 11.3 per cent obese and 5.9 per cent classed as severely obese.
The average Scottish figure was slightly below 25 per cent for the school year 2005/06, with almost one in ten classed as obese.
In Scotland in 2000, the proportion of children considered overweight was just under 20 per cent, eight per cent were obese and 3.9 per cent were severely obese.
Boys tended to be more overweight than girls - 23 per cent, compared to 20.7 per cent.
The new figures were revealed this week in NHS statistics which pointed to a steady increase in the problem.
Based on a study of children in eight health board areas, the proportion of overweight primary one youngsters went up from 21.5 per cent in the previous year to 21.8 per cent last year.
Graham Ball, acting director of public health for NHS Fife, said: "We have been working on a strategy to tackle obesity and we hope to issue it in due course.
"The Healthy Weight Strategy aims to significantly impact on the obesity problem.
"We are clear that the problem should be dealt with positively, reinforcing healthy lifestyle messages, working with the Food and Health Group and Physical Activitiy Group.
"There are many healthy lifestyle initiatives happening across Fife, for example the Beanstalk Nursery held an event for parents and contact groups to raise awareness on healthy eating, and the NHS Fife Health Promotion team is working with the nursery to encourage the uptake of fruit and vegetables.
"The Healthy Weight Strategy is intended to influence a range of factors which impact on obesity. These range from healthy eating in schools and to health transport solutions and workplaces."
Fife Council said it too was doing its bit to encourage healthier lifestyles among school children.
A wide range of healthy eating initiatives have been introduced from Breakfast Clubs and healthy tuck shops to free fruit for nursery school children and healthier school meals.
Exercise too has been prioritised with Active Schools co-ordinators encouraging more exercise, play leaders in school playgrounds teaching traditional playground games and activities to youngsters.
David Maiden, service manager, said: "The new figures whilst not surprising, remain alarming.
"We acknowledge that work needs to begin with children in the early years and promote physical activity through programmes such as play@home which is given free to the parents of all children born in Fife, as well as healthy eating through fresh fruit in nurseries. Daily physical activity is built into the timetable for nurseries through either indoor or outdoor play.
"This joined up approach continues in schools where Hungry for Success and Food for Fuel are presented along with the promotion of physical activity both as part of the curriculum and through Active School Co-ordinators and out of school activities.
"Safe Routes to School is being introduced across Fife to encourage children to walk or cycle to and from school safely and the "60 minute Kid" message being the minimum amount of physical activity required for a child in a day to lead a healthy life is also being promoted to every part of the Kingdom.
"Physical Activity training has also been provided to the voluntary groups working with children and Playground Supervisors in schools who promote positive and safe opportunities for children to be active.
"Community food development workers have been appointed to encourage healthy eating and to inform individuals and communities on food choices and preparation.
"Our aim is to "get more children, more active, more often"."
Childhood Obesity in Scotland
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