Call For Obesity Checks 'From Birth'Children's Health and Fitness ...

From The Herald Scotland?..

BABIES should have obesity checks from birth if Scotland is to make inroads into one of the country?s biggest health problems, an expert has claimed.

A child health expert says the speed at which a baby gains weight in its first few months can determine whether it is at risk of obesity in later life.

Tam Fry, chairman of the Child Growth Foundation, said the crucial years to check for signs a child could be at risk was when they are aged between one and four.

He said health visitors have a major role to play in the prevention of childhood obesity and has called for greater investment in primary care staff.

Mr Fry added that babies should be regularly weighed and measured against growth before they reach their first birthday but most are not because of time constraints on health visitors and fewer staff.

Scotland has one of the highest levels of child obesity in the Western world, with 22% of six-year-olds classed ?overweight?.

Mr Fry, spokesman for the National Obesity Forum, says Scotland is dealing with two epidemics, childhood obesity and maternal obesity, and says women should ideally aim to be a healthy weight before they conceive.

He has also called for high school pupils to be given lessons in parenting, including healthy eating classes.

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Source: http://www.lensaunders.com/wp/?p=3055

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