Urgent plea to 'turn tide' on child obesity

THE "tide must be turned" by the Government on child health to reduce obesity, tooth decay and long-term issues such as diabetes, according to a leading charity.

- By Lucy Johnston

Barnardo’s has written to Health Secretary Wes Streeting, calling for urgent action to stop the wellbeing of youngsters falling further behind their European counterparts.

The strongly worded letter from Lynn Perry, the charity's CEO, called for a major overhaul of the way the UK tackles child nutrition.

And while she backed a Government pledge to create the "healthiest generation ever" she fears current efforts are not enough.

In her letter she stressed that without immediate intervention youngsters will face a lifetime of health struggles. Although Barnardo’s welcomed new breakfast clubs under the Children's Well-being and Schools Bill, it pointed to research highlighting the biggest barriers stopping youngsters from accessing a healthy diet.