Childhood Obesity

Is my child overweight?

As a parent, it can sometimes be difficult to identify that your child is overweight. You may notice signs, such as your child getting breathless easily during physical activity or you may be contacted about your child's weight after your child is weighed and measured at school as part of the National Child Measurement Programme. 

You can check whether your child is a healthy weight by using the NHS Choices healthy weight calculator.

Evidence shows that overweight children are more likely to become overweight adults, who are at increased risk of serious health problems. By helping your children stay at a healthy weight you will be helping them to get the best start in life. In adults, being overweight is linked to health problems such as Type 2 diabetes and increased risk of heart disease and certain cancers.

If your child is overweight, then achieving a healthy weight can bring significant health benefits. And as a parent, you can do a lot to help you child achieve a healthy weight.

What can I do to keep my family healthy?

Whether your child is overweight or not, it is a good idea for them to pick up good habits when they are young as it is much easier to stay healthy than to lose weight later.

The change4life campaign goal is to enable families to eat well, move more and live longer and the campaign has 8 simple messages for parents to help their children.

The 8 key messages are:

• Reducing sugar intake (“Sugar Swaps”)

• Increasing consumption of fruit and vegetables (“5 A Day”)

• Having structured meals, especially breakfast (“Meal Time”)

• Reducing unhealthy snacking (“Snack Check”)

• Reducing portion size (“Me Size Meals”)

• Reducing fat consumption (“Easy On The Fat”)

• 60 minutes of moderate intensity activity (“60 Active Minutes”)

• Reducing sedentary behaviour especially TV and screen time (“Up & About”)

Nearly 6000 Leeds parents are already leading the way in helping their children have healthy life-styles by signing up to the change4life website.

What should I do if I am worried about my child's weight?

If you are worried about your child’s weight you can visit your GP or contact your school nurse or children’s centre. Your local health centre or clinic will be able to put you in touch with your school nurse and a list of children’s centres is available from the Family Hub. You can call them on Free Phone 0800 731 0640 or 0113 247 4386 or visit their website www.thefamilyhubleeds.org.

Overweight children can be helped by attending community-based weight management sessions run by Watch It. The sessions address eating behaviours, nutrition and activity all using a solution-focused approach. For information including dates and times please ring (0113) 305 9679 or visit the website.

Related pages on this site

Eating WellEat well tips with introduction to Change 4 Life

Related sites

NHS Choices BMI CalculatorChange4Life - national campaign websiteChange 4 Life campaign websiteMEND WebsiteNHS Choices 5 a day meal plannerNHS Choices Childhood Health AssessmentNHS Choices - Healthy Lunch BoxesThe Family Hub LeedsLeeds Community HealthcareLCHC Watch It Programme

Related downloads

| Leeds Childhood Obesity Action Plan March 2012 to June 2012.pdf (0.11 MB)

| Summary of the National Child Measurement Programme results for Leeds 2010-2011.pdf (0.84 MB)

| Leeds Childhood Obesity Action Plan Dec 2011 to March 2012.pdf (0.11 MB)

| Leeds Childhood Obesity Action Plan 2010-2013 Sept-Dec 2011.pdf (0.10 MB)

| Leeds Childhood Obesity action plan May to Sept 2011.pdf (0.11 MB)

| Leeds Childhood Obesity Action Plan Feb to May 2011.pdf (0.11 MB)