Share your views on child obesity in Brent as part of the Great Weight Debate

Brent residents are being urged to share their views on child obesity as part of a new London-wide campaign.

Brent has today joined councils and NHS organisations across the city to launch the Great Weight Debate.

With around one in ten Brent children aged four to five years and almost one in four aged 10 to 11 years being obese, the borough has worse than average levels of childhood obesity.

Obese children are at increased risk of health problems including high cholesterol, high blood pressure, pre-diabetes, bone and joint problems and breathing difficulties.

In addition it can affect a child’s mental well-being, leading to low self-esteem and absence from school which can affect their learning.

London has more overweight and obese children than any other global city, including New York, Sydney, Paris or Madrid.

More than a third of all children in London are overweight or obese by the time they leave primary school – the worst statistics in the country.

Cllr Krupesh Hirani, Brent Council’s cabinet member for community wellbeing, said: “It’s time we had a conversation with our residents about obesity and raised awareness on this issue which is causing us great concern in Brent.

“We would like as many residents as possible to have their say; parents, carers, grandparents, young people, community groups and schools. Together we can make a real difference to the health, lives and futures of the children in our borough”.

To take part in the debate visit gethealthy.london/greatweightdebate.

You can also join the debate on twitter using the hashtag #greatweightdebate