The link between lifestyles and lifespans

Many obese schoolchildren are likely to remain dangerously overweight for the rest of their lives facing an early grave because of their unhealthy lifestyles.

The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) has reported that millions of families were trapped in unhealthy cycles that would shorten lives by decades.

Senior paediatricians, who authored the report, have therefore called for “hard hitting” measures to combat junk food consumption.  The report also demanded curbs on advertising of unhealthy foods.  Action must be taken, they said, to prevent fast food outlets opening near schools.

The president of the RCPCH, warned:
“Four-fifths of obese children would probably remain obese as adults; that will reduce their overall life expectancy by up to ten years, and their ‘healthy life’ expectancy by up to 20 years.”  She also criticised cuts to budgets including health funding and accused the government of “watering down” action to tackle obesity.