MPs 'Shocked' by Death of Obese Girl Aged 3

12:43pm (UK)
MPs 'Shocked' by Death of Obese Girl Aged 3

By Lyndsay Moss, Health Correspondent, PA News


MPs spoke of their shock today at learning that a girl of three died from
heart failure because she was so overweight.

The Health Committee published a damning report on the UK's obesity epidemic
today, with the Government, the NHS, food manufacturers and advertisers all
condemned for their inaction.

The committee warned that obese children could become the first generation
to die before their parents.

Their report mentioned the case of the obese child who died from heart
failure, as reported by Dr Sheila McKenzie, a consultant at the Royal London
Hospital.

The hospital runs an obesity service for children which, even though it has
only been open for three years, has an 11-month waiting list.

Dr McKenzie also described four children who required ventilatory assistance
at home for sleep apnoea who were effectively "choking on their own fat".

In her letter of evidence to the committee, released today, Dr McKenzie
warned that severe illnesses related to obesity, such as heart disease,
diabetes and hypertension, were likely to increase.

She wrote: "The only solution to childhood obesity is prevention.

"Availability of food high in sugar and fat must be reduced.

"Sport and other exercise must be brought back into the school curriculum."

Dr McKenzie warned that obesity was the "biggest health challenge developed
countries now face".

Today David Hinchliffe, chairman of the committee, said: "We were all
shocked when we heard about the young girl.

"I see in my constituency children who are grossly obese, but to hear of a
girl dying from heart failure was shocking."

He added: "It was the first situation of its kind we had come across but we
feel it may become a more serious consequence of obesity in the future."

The Daily Mail reported today that the dead youngster was a Bengali girl
from east London. She should have weighed around 2st 4lb but had a Body Mass
Index (BMI) which equated to around 6st.

The committee's report made recommendations to kick-start action amid gloomy
predictions of a future where serious diseases caused by obesity are common.

Not all the measures were welcomed by the food industry, while the Health
Secretary John Reid said individuals also had a major role to play in their
own health.

Their report points out that obesity has grown by almost 400% in 25 years,
with three-quarters of adults now overweight or obese.

England has the fastest-growing obesity problem in Europe, with childhood
obesity tripling in 20 years.

The report calculates that being overweight or obese costs the nation £7.4
billion a year.

The committee called for a voluntary withdrawal of TV advertising of junk
food to children.

But they warned that if action was not taken by the industry within three
years, the Government should step in to introduce more direct regulation.

The MPs said a "traffic light" system should be introduced on food labelling
to show consumers the difference between healthy and unhealthy foods.

Red would indicate foods high in calories, amber for medium levels and green
for low.

Committee member John Austin said today that labelling was crucial to
improving the public's knowledge about nutrition.

He said there was a case for warning labels that said: "Excess consumption
of this food may make you blind or make you lose your legs."

The NHS was criticised for not making the treatment and prevention of
obesity a top priority.

They highlighted examples of GPs being told to cut down on prescriptions for
obesity drugs and patients having difficulties accessing services.

The need for increasing physical activity in schools was highlighted by the
report.

The committee also said that schoolchildren should have their BMI measured
every year.

The report called for a Cabinet-level public health committee to oversee
action on obesity across departments.

Members of the committee criticised the "lack of joined-up solutions" across
Government, industry and society.

But Dr Reid said that while he shared the committee's concerns, it was not
only an issue for ministers to worry about.

He said: "We recognise that these issues are not just a matter for
Government - they involve individuals and the choices they make, as well as
the food and leisure industry.

"However, we at the Department of Health are already working closely with
colleagues across Government including Education, Culture, Media and Sport,
Transport, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and the Food Standards
Agency, to encourage and enable people to eat more nutritious food and take
more exercise."

--
Bubba Do Wah Ditty

"One year ago today, the time for excuse-making has come to an end."

-Bushisms, 2003