London: More than 6,000 children and teenagers in England, including hundreds as young as four years old, have received treatment at specialist NHS obesity clinics since 2021, according to newly released figures that highlight the growing scale of the childhood obesity crisis.
Data published by NHS England revealed that 6,497 children have been treated through Complications from Excess Weight (CEW) clinics since the first centre opened in 2021.
Among those treated were 423 four-year-olds, 1,088 children aged between five and eight, 1,791 aged between nine and 12, and 3,137 teenagers between 13 and 17 years old. The ages of another 58 patients were not recorded.
All children referred to the clinics were considered ‘extremely overweight’ for their age. The average weight of the four-year-olds treated was 33 kilograms, roughly equivalent to the average weight of a 10-year-old child. Around 400 young patients have also received weight-loss injections as part of their treatment programmes.
Children can only access treatment at CEW clinics after referral from a GP, paediatrician, hospital specialist, or childhood mental health service. To qualify, they must have a body mass index above the 99.6th percentile along with a health condition linked to obesity.
New research analysing nearly 6,000 children treated at the clinics is set to be presented at the European Congress on Obesity in Istanbul. The findings showed that 17 percent of patients had high blood pressure, while a similar proportion had abnormal fat levels in their blood. Around 6 percent were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.
The study, carried out by Sheffield Hallam University, Leeds Beckett University, University of Leeds, University of Bristol, and University of Sheffield, also found that almost 30 percent of the children suffered from metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, while 17 percent had obstructive sleep apnoea.
Mental health concerns were also common among patients. About 9 percent had intentionally self-harmed, and a similar proportion experienced anxiety. Researchers additionally found a high prevalence of neurodivergent conditions, with nearly 30 percent diagnosed with autism, around 12 percent with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and roughly 24 percent having a learning disability.
Health experts described the figures as alarming and urged authorities to take stronger action against unhealthy food marketing while making nutritious food more affordable and accessible.
Katharine Jenner, executive director of the Obesity Health Alliance, said the figures should serve as a ‘wake-up call,’ warning that unhealthy food environments are making it increasingly difficult for families to choose healthier lifestyles.
Jenner stressed that the development of conditions such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and early heart disease in very young children shows why prevention efforts must begin early in life.
Helen Stewart from the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health said that it was deeply concerning that more children were requiring treatment at CEW clinics. Stewart noted that obesity disproportionately affects children from disadvantaged communities, increasing their risk of chronic disease, mental health problems and potentially shorter life expectancy.
Additional findings presented at the conference showed that children receiving treatment through England’s 39 CEW clinics weighed an average of 10 kilograms less after two years compared to children who only received support from GPs or community healthcare services.
The clinics provide tailored programmes that include nutritional guidance, mental health support and lifestyle coaching, while weight-loss injections are prescribed to some patients aged 11 and older.
Simon Kenny, national clinical director for children and young people at NHS England, noted that severe obesity can affect every aspect of a child’s life, including physical health, mental wellbeing and confidence. Kenny added that the specialist clinics are helping many children improve their health and future prospects.
The Director warned that childhood obesity remains one of the UK’s biggest public health challenges, noting that children living with obesity are more likely to remain obese as adults and face higher risks of heart disease, cancer and respiratory illnesses later in life. Early intervention is essential to prevent long-term health complications and improve outcomes for young people.
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