Childhood Obesity in London

This assignment examines the concerning rise of childhood obesity in London. It delves into data and research on the prevalence of obesity among children in the city, highlighting specific trends and statistics. The assignment also investigates the contributing factors to this issue, including lifestyle choices, socioeconomic conditions, and environmental influences. Finally, it explores potential interventions and policies aimed at addressing and mitigating childhood obesity in London.

The level of childhood obesity among
children aged 4-10 in Islington Borough of
London
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Table of Contents
a) Report Title..................................................................................................................................4
b) Introduction ................................................................................................................................4
c)Rationale ......................................................................................................................................5
d) Urban Context and determinants for the impact on the obesity. ................................................6
e) Identification and explanation of the public health consequences and implications of obesity. 8
f) Strategies and interventions for addressing obesity.....................................................................9
g) Recommendations and conclusion ...........................................................................................10
References...........................................................................................................................................11
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Illustration Index
Illustration 1: Children obesity in London...........................................................................................5
Illustration 2: Percentage of Children obesity......................................................................................6
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a) Report Title
Aim: The level of childhood obesity among children aged 4-10 in Islington Borough of London.
Objectives:
 To determine the prevalence of obesity in children aged 4-10 in Islington Borough of
London.
 To determine the reason behind childhood obesity among the children of age 4 to 10 in
Islington Borough of London.
 To suggest appropriate ways for resolving health issue regarding childhood obesity among
the children aged 4 to 10 in Islington Borough of London.
b) Introduction
Urban health refers to the health of people who lives and works together generally in
incorporated sectors. Health in the urban areas are based on the core principles of the healthy cities
which includes equity, sustainability, inter-sectoral cooperation and community development.
People are migrating from rural areas to urban sector which is increasing population of urban areas
(Bradshaw, 2011). This growth is causing problem regarding the water, sanitation, infrastructure,
housing, security, food, transport, noise exposure, climate, social environment, health and social
services, etc. All these factors are responsible for the health issues in urban sector. It results to cause
various disease such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer, chronic lung disease, etc (Canoy and
Bundred, 2011).
The present proposal is based on the major urban health issue of London i.e. Obesity in
children of age 4 to 10. Obesity refers to the abnormal increase of body fat which results to cause
health issues. Generally those people who have 20% or more fat as compare to the ideal body
weight is called as suffering from obesity. This file includes impact of obesity on health of children,
its consequences, and implications on individual, general population and health services. Along
with this, it also involves methods for resolving this health issue. In the end, recommendations and
conclusions are explained with the help of key findings.
Research Question
 What is the prevalence of obesity in children aged 4-10 in Islington Borough of London?
 What are the reason behind childhood obesity among the children of age 4 to 10 in Islington
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Borough of London?
 What are the appropriate suggestions for resolving health issue regarding childhood obesity
among the children aged 4 to 10 in Islington Borough of London?
c)Rationale
Due to the changing lifestyles and preferences, people of London are facing various urban
health problems in both the developed and developing countries. One of the major urban health
problem is obesity in children. It is important health issue due to the rising carelessness towards the
exercise, food, etc. Due to the engaged life, people like to eat instant, ready to made and packed fast
food items which results to cause various health issues. Along with this, other causes of overweight
are genetic factors and lack of physical activity. Combination of all these factors results to cause
obesity among the children aged 4 to 10 in London (Waters and et.al., 2011).
Islington is ranked as 5th most deprived borough in London and 14th in England due to the
higher level of health problems which includes a very high level of obesity. From a research it is
identified that in 2013-14, 1 in 4 children of age 4 to 5 years and 2 in 5 children of age 10 to 11
years are suffering from obesity. The percentage of obesity among the children of age 10 to 11 is
continuously rising in the city. This health issue is causing various other health disease also such as
heart disease, joint problem, diabetes, cancer, lung, cardiovascular and respiratory disease (Hills and
et.al., 2011).
The above figure represents that in London more than a fifth of children in the year 6 are
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Illustration 1: Children obesity in London
Source (How the obesity rate doubled for the class of 2007, 2015)

suffering from obesity. This ratio is more than the double rate of reception children.
The below figure shows the percentage of children suffering from overweight problem in
London. From this, it is identified that 15 % of children in year 6 are suffering the problem of
overweight and 22.5% are classified as obese.
In addition to it, leve6+l of obesity changes as per the socio-economic status of the people of
London. The level of obesity is highest among the low income families which is 22% in boys and
21% in girls as compare to the high income families which is 7% in boys and 6% in girls.
In Islington, London as per the body mass index (BMI) 38% of year 6 children are suffering from
the obesity or overweight. These pupils are likely to suffer poor self esteem and social life at their
school (Long and et.al., 2011).
All the above facts and figures show that children of Islington, London among the age 4 to
10 are suffering from obesity at high level. The percentage of overweight in children is
continuously increasing which needs to be stop for preventing them from various other health
problems. The reason behind selecting this urban health issue is to identify the impact of this
problem on the health, development and growth of the children of Islington London. Along with
this, another aspect of this study is to determining factors for resolving this increasing health issue
(Summerbell and et.al., 2012).
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Illustration 2: Percentage of Children obesity
Source (London child obesity still rising. 2016)

d) Urban Context and determinants for the impact on the obesity.
Urbanization:
According to the Barkin, 2013, “People are shifting from rural areas to the urban sectors for
getting better services and improving their living standard. This factor is causing overcrowding, air
pollution, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, etc. which results to rise health challenges in the urban
regions” (Barkin, 2013). Similarly, Karnik and Kanekar, 2015, have stated that “Urban areas are
promoting unhealthy lifestyle which depends upon the processed foods. This results to create bad
habits and behaviour among the children and other individuals” (Karnik and Kanekar, 2015), With
respect to the obesity Boyland and et.al., 2012, have concluded that “The lifestyle choice and
convenient diets results to connect the life to the obesity which increase issues regarding heart
problem, strokes, various kinds of cancer, etc” (Boyland and et.al., 2012). In addition to it Te Velde
and et.al., 2012, have said that “Obesity is referred as a chronic disorders which has multiple
causes. In UK, obesity has been increasing due to the energy dense nutrient poor food and reduced
physical activity specially in children” (Te Velde and et.al., 2012).
Urbanisation is causing various health issues which are giving rise to childhood obesity.
These issues are as follows. Food: According to the Bradshaw, 2011, “In urban cities one of the health determinant is
access to the safe, secure and quality food in proper quantity. Urban poor population in the
developed cities like London depends upon the street food, fast food, processed and cheap
food which results to cause obesity in them and their children” (Bradshaw, 2011). Urban transport: As per the view of Osei-Assibey and et.al., 2012, “Public transport,
cycling and walking are the major modes of travel in large cities like London. But people of
the developed countries are become more rich and for maintaining their living standard, they
like to travel in cars or on motorcycles. This results to less physical activity and causes
overweight among them” (Osei-Assibey and et.al., 2012).
 Social environment: Wilks and et.al., 2011, have declared that “Social environment of the
city can either improve or damage the health of the people. Use of drug, abuse, violences,
etc results to create negative social atmosphere which affects the health of the children and
other individuals” (Wilks and et.al., 2011). On the other hand Waters and et.al., 2011, have
demonstrated that “Busy social life of the parents make them to offer fast food, instant food,
convenient food, etc to their children which results to cause various health problems and
obesity is one of them” (Waters and et.al., 2011).
Prevalence of Obesity:
According to the Birch and et.al., 2011, “Consumption of soft drinks, fast food, has
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increased the prevalence of overweight among the children of age 4 to 10. Boy child used to
consume soft drinks more as compare to the past few years.” (Birch and et.al., 2011). On the other
hand Paxson and et.al., 2010, have stated that “Consumption of daily milk is decreased from 72% to
57% among both girl and boy child” (Paxson and et.al., 2010). He further added that one half of the
preschool children consumes soft drinks, 57% of the children studying in 6 and 7 standard has
increases intake of unhealthy drinks and food.
On the other hand Hills, Andersen and Byrne, 2011, have concluded that “By 2050, in UK
25% of children between the age of 2 to 15 will be obese and 30% will be overweight” (Hills,
Andersen and Byrne, 2011). In favour to it Barkin, 2013, has identified that “438 reception pupils
are overweight or obese in Islington, London. This is due to the consumption of various types of
food and drinks with less physical activities ”
(Barkin, 2013). In contrast to it Bradshaw, 2011, has determined that “In Islington, 599 children in
the year 6 i.e. between the age 10 to 11 years are overweight or obese. Along with this, 674 families
of the city are registered with the change 4 life due to the unhealthy diet and improper living
standard” (Bradshaw, 2011).
Reason behind Obesity:
There are various reason behind the obesity among the children of age 4 to 10 years.
Different authors have different perception and view towards them which are as follows. Number of takeaways: According to the Waters and et.al., 2011, “In Islington, poor diet and
obesity causes due to the limited availability of the quality, healthy and affordable food
items among the poor urban people. Use of unhealthy food is more with 139 takeaways per
100000 people” (Waters and et.al., 2011). Genetic Factor: Wijnhoven and et.al., 2013, has stated that “Obesity also causes due to the
genetic factors. If one or both the parents of the children are suffering from the overweight
or obese then there are 20% or more chances of child having obesity” (Wijnhoven, T.M.A.
And et.al., 2013).
 Lack of Green space: Long and et.al., 2011, have demonstrated that “Lack of green grounds
and large spaces results to decrease the opportunity to play for the children. This results to
increase fat due to less physical activities ” (Long and et.al., 2011).
e) Identification and explanation of the public health consequences and implications of obesity.
Individual
According to the Summerbell and et.al., 2012, “Healthy diet and regular exercise results to
create healthy behaviour. Balance of the energy consumes from the foods with the calories body
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uses for physical activity prevents individual from gaining fat” (Summerbell and et.al., 2012). On
the other hand Paxson and et.al., 2010, have concluded that “In UK, the cost of obesity is
approximately $3.7 billion per year by including testing, indirect cost, sickness absence, etc”
(Paxson and et.al., 2010). With respect to the health consequence Osei-Assibey and et.al., 2012,
have asserted that “Person suffering from obesity results to have stroke, low quality of life, body
pain, type 2 diabetes, mortality, sleep apnea, etc” (Osei-Assibey and et.al., 2012).
Population:
According to the Wilks and et.al., 2011, “Obesity results to rise inequality and
discrimination issues among the people. Person suffering from overweight problem leads to have
fewer friends, lower employment, lower salary, less likely to marry, more divorce cases, commit
suicide, etc ” (Wilks and et.al., 2011). Similarly, Karnik and Kanekar, 2015, have identified that
“Due to the discrimination by the population, life expectancy of the individual reduces by more than
9 years” ().On the other hand..., has concluded that “Community environment plays important role
in obesity. Home, child care, health care and workplace atmosphere influences the daily behaviour
of the people” (Karnik and Kanekar, 2015).
Healthcare Services:
As per the view of Boyland and et.al., 2012, “Rise in obesity leads to increase ill-health
among the poor communities which results to cause inequalities in healthcare ” (Boyland and et.al.,
2012). He further added that rising obesity in children leads to increase the profitability of the social
care services. On the other hand Hills and et.al., 2011, have asserted that “Treating obesity and
related health problems by a good and quality health care organisation results to improve the living
standard of the individual” (Hills and et.al., 2011). In favour to this Canoy and Bundred, 2011, have
identified that “health care provides various services to the patients such as transport facilities,
specialist carers, specialist leisure services, etc” (Canoy and Bundred, 2011).
f) Strategies and interventions for addressing obesity
Interventions for preventing childhood obesity in Islington aim to change behaviour, diet and
physical activities. Along with this, the educational interventions are also useful for reducing the
rate of obesity among the children. It includes dietary counselling, education sessions, activities to
complete in home, classroom curricula, canteen changes, nutritious diet regarding policies, etc. This
can help parents in providing quality and nutritious food to their child time to time. On the other
hand, behavioural interventions are for modifying the diets such as by decreasing the sugar
consumption, increasing calcium consumption, rising green vegetable intakes with fruits,
decreasing screen time, etc. This will help in reducing the excessive weight gain by the children.
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This also includes general information about the behaviour and health connection, planning social
change, etc so that children can modify themselves and can learn to eat healthy and quality food. In
addition to it, breastfeeding also helps in preventing children from obesity and type 2 diabetes. It
depends upon how long mothers of London provides breastfeeding continuously to her child and it
has the earliest impact on the child's later behaviour (Focus on Childhood obesity, 2013).
Islington is conducting various programmes and projects for reducing obesity among the
children of age 4 to 10 years. MEND (Mind, Exercise, Nutrition, Do it!) is the programmes used by
the Islington for resolving the issue of obesity among the children. MEND is attended by 89%
children along with their mother and 54% of participants were boys in the respective program. With
the help of this, there is rise in number of children who used to do daily exercise for at-least 60
minutes (Wijnhoven and et.al., 2013).
g) Recommendations and conclusion
From the above study, it is concluded that obesity is major issue among the children in
Islington, London. There are various reason behind this health issue such as unhealthy diet, lack of
physical exercise, etc. The urban poor people due to the low income does not able to provide
nutritious diet to their children which results to cause obesity. Parents need to adopt various
strategies and interventions for preventing their child from this health issue. Strategies include
breastfeeding, behavioural modification, attending various programmes, etc (Hills, Andersen and
Byrne, 2011).
Islington needs to reduce fake and unrealistic advertisements of fast food so that children
can not attract towards them. Along with this, parents should keep an eye on their children's
activities so that they can change their bad habits. They need to spend more time which the child for
understanding the importance of healthy and nutritious food. In addition to it, schools should
conduct physical exercise for the students so that they can keep themselves healthy ((Bradshaw,
2011).
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Barkin, S.L., 2013. The relationship between executive function and obesity in children and
adolescents: a systematic literature review. Journal of obesity, 2013.
Birch, L. L., and et.al., 2011. Early Childhood obesity prevention policies. National Academies
Press.
Boyland, E.J. and et.al., 2012. Persuasive techniques used in television advertisements to market
foods to UK children. Appetite. 58(2). pp.658-664.
Bradshaw, J., 2011. The Well-being of Children in the UK. Policy Press.
Canoy, D. and Bundred, P., 2011. Obesity in children. BMJ clinical evidence,2011.
Hills, A.P., Andersen, L.B. and Byrne, N.M., 2011. Physical activity and obesity in children. British
Journal of Sports Medicine. 45(11). pp.866-870.
Karnik, S. and Kanekar, A., 2015. Childhood obesity: a global public health crisis. Int J Prev Med,
2012. 3 (1). pp.1-7.
Long, M.D. and et.al., 2011. Prevalence and epidemiology of overweight and obesity in children
with inflammatory bowel disease. Inflammatory bowel diseases. 17(10). pp.2162-2168.
Osei-Assibey, G. and et.al., 2012. The influence of the food environment on overweight and obesity
in young children: a systematic review. BMJ open, 2(6). p.e001538.
Paxson, C., and et.al., 2010. The future of children: Childhood obesity. Brookings Institution Press.
Summerbell, C.D. and et.al., 2012. Evidence‐based recommendations for the development of
obesity prevention programs targeted at preschool children. Obesity reviews. 13(s1). pp.129-
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Te Velde, S.J. and et.al., 2012. Energy balance‐related behaviours associated with overweight and
obesity in preschool children: a systematic review of prospective studies. Obesity reviews.
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Waters, E. and et.al., 2011. Interventions for preventing obesity in children. Cochrane Database
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Wiley & Sons.
Wijnhoven, T.M.A. And et.al., 2013. WHO European Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative
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Wilks, D.C. And et.al., 2011. Objectively measured physical activity and obesity prevention in
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children, adolescents and adults: a systematic review of prospective studies. Obesity
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Online
Focus on Childhood obesity. 2013. [PDF]. Available Through:
<http://www.islington.gov.uk/publicrecords/library/Public-health/Information/Factsheets/
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<http://urbs.london/how-the-obesity-rate-doubled-for-the-class-of-2007/3266>. [Accessed
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London child obesity stilll rising. 2016. [Online]. Available Through:
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worst-boroughs/>. [Accessed on 14th March 2016]
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