Almost 1.7 million started secondary school obese or overweight in last decade
Cancer Research UK has found that 1,655,000 children in England started secondary school overweight or obese during the last decade.
The charity also states that obese children are five times more likely to become obese adults and warned that the number could cost the NHS billions.
Alison Cox, Cancer Research UK’s director of prevention, said: “It’s concerning to know that so many children start secondary school – formative years in a child’s life – carrying too much weight.
“We must give children the best chance for a healthy future. Measures like the sugary drinks tax can make a difference and the government must press ahead with this vital measure.
“But there is no silver bullet and more action is needed. The government has already recognised the influence of junk food marketing on children’s health by banning junk food advertising during children’s programmes - it’s time to close the loop hole during family viewing time.”
Cancer Research UK says that’s being overweight or obese is the second biggest preventable cause of cancer in the UK after smoking and contributes to around 18,100 cases of cancer every year. It is linked to 13 types of cancer including bowel, breast, and pancreatic.
The BBC is also reporting Cancer Research UK statistics that find than one in ten children in Scotland have started primary school overweight or obese since 2005.