Burden of child and adolescent obesity on health services in England

Abstract

There is a mismatch between population burden and available data on service use for obesity in CYP in England, particularly among deprived young people. There is a need for consistent evidence-based commissioning of services across the childhood obesity pathway based on population burden.

Are children with clinical obesity at increased risk of inpatient hospital admissions? An analysis using linked electronic health records in the UK millennium cohort study

“…(n = 410 000) of 2 to 14 year olds with obesity in England were eligible for secondary care referral; 17 however, our findings suggest that in a cohort of children born at the beginning of the new millennium, increased admissions in early childhood and adolescence are not directly attributable to childhood obesity. Our findings are, however, not a cause for complacency, given the rising prevalence of obesity in subsequent generations of children born in the United Kingdom after this cohort and the lack of follow-up into adult life possible currently.…”

“…Obesity prevention strategies remain key to reducing the prevalence and impact of childhood obesity, and more research is needed to support evidence-based commissioning of health care services for the management of obesity in CYP. 17…”

“…8,12,14 However, UK hospital discharge records suggest that hospital admissions coded for obesity, and related comorbid conditions, have increased more than fourfold over the past decade among CYP in England 15 ; these have also increased in the Republic of Ireland. 17 To date, there have been few reports of analyses that have examined weight status at the start of primary school (which is around 5 years of age for most children in the United Kingdom) in relation to subsequent health service utilization through primary school and early adolescence. 17 To date, there have been few reports of analyses that have examined weight status at the start of primary school (which is around 5 years of age for most children in the United Kingdom) in relation to subsequent health service utilization through primary school and early adolescence.…”

“…16 In a recent report, Viner and colleagues identified discordance between the population burden of obesity and available information on health service use in CYP. 17 To date, there have been few reports of analyses that have examined weight status at the start of primary school (which is around 5 years of age for most children in the United Kingdom) in relation to subsequent health service utilization through primary school and early adolescence. This is the age when public health surveillance data on child weight status is widely collected, 3,18,19 given the importance of early detection of children who may be on unhealthy weight trajectories 20,21 and in need of support to facilitate a healthier lifestyle.…”

Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Consumption Status and Its Association with Childhood Obesity among Chinese Children Aged 6–17 Years

“…Extensive research has shown an association between the increase in SSB consumption and childhood overweight and obesity [ 31 , 32 , 33 ]. According to the latest report on Chinese Residents’ Chronic Diseases and Nutrition in 2020, the prevalence of overweight/obesity in children and adolescents aged 6~17 years was 19% in 2016, which increased by 5.0% from 2012 [ 4 ].…”