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UK Obesity Epedimic Continues
It seems that not even with Jamie Oliver’s help can we stop the growing trend of obesity amongst children in the UK. Recent local government reports have revealed that in 2007 seven morbidly obese children had to be taken into care by social services on the grounds of serious neglect. In one case, a 6 year old boy was seriously overweight due to being constantly fed, and receiving almost no physical activity. In other reported cases, a seven year old with a body mass index 300% higher than that of the average healthy child, and an 8 year old girl weighed 57kg (9 stone), were taking from their parents and put in to protective care. These are the first cases that we have heard of were the government has had to intervene to put child health first.
Still on the subject of child health, Redbridge council in London has adopted new rules regarding adoption. Smokers will no longer be able to adopt children. This rule is brought in to protect the human rights of children placed under adoption, i.e. the right to breath clean air. The rule will not be in full effect until 2010 – until then smoking will be factored in to the decision on whether a family can adopt or not, but from 2010 no smokers in Redbridge will be able to adopt. Cancer researchers have praised this approach, however Smokers Rights groups feel that the health of the child does not come first, and have labelled the London borough councillors as “health fascists”.
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