Children's waist sizes up 4cm in 20 years

2.31.29pm UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 24th Feb 2004

A report out today showing that children's waist sizes have increased by 4cm in 20 years must act as a 'wake up' call for the Government, Paul Burstow MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow Health Secretary, said today.

The research from the Archives of Disease in Childhood is published today.

Paul Burstow MP said:

"This report must act as a 'wake-up' call for the Government. Without action to tackle obesity, England may soon end up the overweight capital of Europe.

"We all have personal responsibility for our own weight but the food industry could do more. The industry must demonstrate that it is a willing partner in the fight against obesity. Better information and action to cut the sugar, salt and fat in processed food is crucial.

"The Government has to get its act together and start to get serious about the rising rates of obesity. At the moment we are seeing too many reports and too little action. More must be done to encourage active lifestyles and promote healthy diets."