Obesity in St Helens kids to be tackled

9:14am Thursday 6th September 2012 in News By Stephen Mather, Senior reporter

Why are our kids obese? Why are our kids obese?

STARTLING figures have revealed alarming levels of obesity in St Helens children as efforts to tackle the health timebomb are unveiled.

Figures compiled by the NHS, show that in September 2011, 22.6 per cent of children aged between four and five at reception level, were deemed obese.

That is almost a quarter of youngsters within that age bracket.

The problem is worse as the children get older, with almost four out of every year six pupils (37.1 per cent) aged between ten and 11 classed as overweight and obese.

There are stark warnings that obesity in children can lead to health problems in later life, including high blood pressure, diabetes, liver disease, high cholesterol and asthma.

NHS Health Teams are keen to utilise the Olympic and Paralympic spirit, to inspire children to take up sport through the Fit 4 programme in the coming weeks.

A spokesman from the Health Improvement Team said: “Having the Olympics on home soil brought us a sense of pride as well as making us feel good about ourselves; possibly something we haven’t all seen for a long time.

“However feeling inspired by Team GB’s huge medal success and the current medal count of our Paralympic team doesn’t have to happen every four years.

“Now it’s time to keep that inspiration, pride and motivation close by.”Fit 4 Life is a free healthy style programme for children between four and 13 and their families.

Its aim is to show that there is support out there and that simple steps will help move children back towards a healthier weight.

Fit 4 Life sessions will be held at Langtree Park in the evenings once a week for six weeks. Children can take part in fun exercise sessions with Saints Community Coaches.

They will learn about healthy eating and parents can pick up tips how to encourage children to be more active.

Comments(37)

frankly says...
9:26am Thu 6 Sep 12

because they have parents who cant or wont cook a healthy meal when burgers and chips will do. close the burger bars and other fat frying takeaways and they would all starve.

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anthonywilson says...
9:32am Thu 6 Sep 12

An Easy starter for five:

1.The proliferation of fast food outlets and multitude of pizza places. Is there a single day of the week when we don't get a fast food menu through the door in St Helens?

2. Less time on the school curriculum to do PE than in previous generations.

3. Societal cultural changes. Home entertainment versus entain yourselves outside.

4. More kids being taken to school by car than walking.

5. Poor parenting.

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smith&weston says...
10:58am Thu 6 Sep 12

They have to ask ? Just take a look at the history of St Helens.. Pimmies Pies, Cothams Pies, the £1 bakery shop..... can you see a pattern yet ?

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yummydaddy says...
11:50am Thu 6 Sep 12

Absolutely our town has filled with fast food places, churning out cheap rubbish and people buying instant meals that are full of all the right thing to make them fat. The other problem is lots of bigger people can't and wont change because it's far to easy to make meal times a ding meal rather than a wholesome meal and them they complain when they can't understand it when they get ill or there kids get fat. It's nonsense. We all love a take away, what happened to the only pizza place that actually made there own pizza fresh, the invasion of cheap nasty places was allowed to close it down. Stupid council needs to wake up and start thinking about the rest of us!

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chunkymunky says...
11:58am Thu 6 Sep 12

"Stupid council needs to wake up and start thinking about the rest of us!"....becuase the people of st helens have no choice in the matter?!?

Come on, peple need to take full responsibility for their own actions and how they pass them on to their children! Im not over weight, i go to the gym, i look after myself and what ieat yet im exposed to the same environmental factors as the fatties are!!

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Don't talk wet says...
12:12pm Thu 6 Sep 12

I'm so glad the the article clarifies that 22.6% is almost a quarter.

Anyway. Agree with the above.
Eat less... do more. Don't be a victim.

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PM says...
12:52pm Thu 6 Sep 12

Nothing to do with St Helens and everything to do with all the points raised by Anthony Wilson. There has been a cultural change away from physical activity across all age groups .The government has just scrapped the requirement for schools to do a set amount of PE and sports per week. Madness....

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PM says...
12:58pm Thu 6 Sep 12

@chunkmonkey .Half the commenters on this site would blame 'the council' if their numbers never came up on the lottery. At some stage you have to take personal responsibilty for your own health , having a pie shop somewhere doesn't mean you have to walk into it for heaven's sake.

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anthonywilson says...
1:42pm Thu 6 Sep 12

PM wrote:
Nothing to do with St Helens and everything to do with all the points raised by Anthony Wilson. There has been a cultural change away from physical activity across all age groups .The government has just scrapped the requirement for schools to do a set amount of PE and sports per week. Madness....
The cultural shift has been huge PM. Most kids play in doors these days rather than go outside and the same has happened with adults too.
Perhaps we need more leaflets through the doors promoting local Gyms and Leisure centres and far less of the Fast Food and Pizza take aways.
Although we have just had the Olympics and the Paralympics is just taking place we are a nation who prefers to watch sport rather than take part in it.

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PM says...
2:20pm Thu 6 Sep 12

The problem is , as I see it, parents are terrified of letting their kids out to play in local parks and woods so the playstation generation has flourished. We have become a nation that is fearful for the safety of our own kids so we don't press for more outdoor activities and play areas. We think a paedophile is hiding behind every tree when the truth has always been the vast majority of abuse occurs within families.

When I were a lad (cough) it was a rare sight to see an overweight child, everyone was stick thin because we were always out on our bikes or playing football or rugby in the local park. We still ate crap food but we burned it off . The answer isn't less fast food shops, the answer is to make exercise 'cool' with younger people . A generation ago everyone dreamt of being a top footballer or rugby league player , now they think they can be famous by getting a bad tan and appearing on the X Factor or Big Brother. A revolution has to happen in public health and exercise, I don't see it happening in my lifetime sadly.

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kirsty21 says...
2:39pm Thu 6 Sep 12

I dont like the use of BMI on young children
but that aside, I think there's a lot of reasons this is happening a lot of which have been mentioned,
computer games, being scared to let your children play out, less PE in schools, and yeah the number of fast food places doesn't help, but neither does the fact that its cheaper to get a pasty or bag of chips that it is a salad or vegeteables and at a time when everybody is saying they cant afford to live then we all know what they'll choose to eat
I dont think if your child is overweight that makes you a bad parent,

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frankly says...
4:12pm Thu 6 Sep 12

it does Kirsty if you allow them to eat junk food 24/7

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chunkymunky says...
7:49pm Thu 6 Sep 12

kirsty21 wrote:
I dont like the use of BMI on young children
but that aside, I think there's a lot of reasons this is happening a lot of which have been mentioned,
computer games, being scared to let your children play out, less PE in schools, and yeah the number of fast food places doesn't help, but neither does the fact that its cheaper to get a pasty or bag of chips that it is a salad or vegeteables and at a time when everybody is saying they cant afford to live then we all know what they'll choose to eat
I dont think if your child is overweight that makes you a bad parent,
If your child is overweight for no medical reason but poor diet it can only be poor parenting skills......simples!
! I'm all for the system some European countries enforce.....once a warning next time their prosecuted with child neglect, after all it's well documented in the lists of 'need' in relation to a child flourishing with good well being!

We already know those who are obese have much lower levels of wellbeingnand much more likely to suffer from depression and anxiety!!

Those who let their children get fat not only set them up for a life of physical health problems but also years of mental health problems!!

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ALocalLad says...
7:03am Fri 7 Sep 12

Just because the town is full of fastfood merchants it doesn't mean you need to buy it! its also full of bars but 1/4 of the town isn't drinking all day!
It's not even down to exercise, if you think kids will loose weight by doing more exercise you really have no idea what your saying.
It's become socially acceptable to eat fast food day in, day out and it's an easy option and often cheaper option than cooking.
You can't even blame the parents ( not all of them) as they often don't know any better through the miss information they are being fed from the media.
Solution? people need to be properly informed about what they are really eating. not preached too, but informed so they understand and can make informed decisions.
It's all about choice, and having enough information to make the right one!

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theprouty says...
7:59am Fri 7 Sep 12

PM wrote:
The problem is , as I see it, parents are terrified of letting their kids out to play in local parks and woods so the playstation generation has flourished. We have become a nation that is fearful for the safety of our own kids so we don't press for more outdoor activities and play areas. We think a paedophile is hiding behind every tree when the truth has always been the vast majority of abuse occurs within families.

When I were a lad (cough) it was a rare sight to see an overweight child, everyone was stick thin because we were always out on our bikes or playing football or rugby in the local park. We still ate crap food but we burned it off . The answer isn't less fast food shops, the answer is to make exercise 'cool' with younger people . A generation ago everyone dreamt of being a top footballer or rugby league player , now they think they can be famous by getting a bad tan and appearing on the X Factor or Big Brother. A revolution has to happen in public health and exercise, I don't see it happening in my lifetime sadly.
SPOT ON !!!

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Bill Bradbury says...
12:45pm Fri 7 Sep 12

First time in a very long time where I have read every comment on this site and can agree with most of them.
So, strange to say, I have nothing to add the points have been made.

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mikeperry109 says...
2:52pm Fri 7 Sep 12

PM wrote:
@chunkmonkey .Half the commenters on this site would blame 'the council' if their numbers never came up on the lottery. At some stage you have to take personal responsibilty for your own health , having a pie shop somewhere doesn't mean you have to walk into it for heaven's sake.
Once again I agree, PM. The problem is that children frequently have no choice regarding what they eat, and if parents set a bad example, the problems are pushed through to another generation.

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pitbullboxing says...
5:49pm Fri 7 Sep 12

It's sad , there are so many fitness clubs out there that need people too. When I was a child Atari was all the rage and I enjoyed hours on it too - but I loved boxing and fitness to much to ever put weight on. My diet wasn't great because healthy eating was not as pushed as it is now - but the fruit did taste a lot better those days.
I can understand parents not wanting their kids hanging around the streets - they are a nasty place these days - but please please please encourage them to take up sport in one our boroughs many fantastic sports clubs.

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jumper says...
7:10pm Fri 7 Sep 12

The council in my opinion is one of the main culprits for not having areas to play.How on earth can you get fit are enjoy any game you want to play
in the road.If they feel that it is not safe to go to the park then that is a bigger problem than anything else

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frankly says...
7:28pm Fri 7 Sep 12

i never had burgers as a child, nor much chocolate,very little sugar filled drinks either,and not a lot of fruit..BUT it was 1939/45 when i was a child " " " "

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frankly says...
7:29pm Fri 7 Sep 12

AND im not fat either..

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epson says...
10:51am Sat 8 Sep 12

When I was younger there was a local field within easy access to everyone. All your mates used to go for a kickabout and more and more used to join in, even people who weren't mates but soon became them. Those who weren't great joined in for a laugh and got better, but you all enjoyed it.
These days there is hardly anywhere safe to go.
Around where I live now they have fenced off all the school fields, fenced off Cidac, built on Penlake so there is nowhere safe for small kids to go. Clubs and Gyms cost money and bus fares are a joke. The free facilities in St Helens are a joke and they would rather spend money on gimmicky things like town centre sand pits than think long term at the ticking time bomb of obesity. Free swimming for kids was great but that was stopped. If you haven't got money for activities there is nothing for you, and many on low wages (like many in this town) just have to lump it.
We don't need gimmicks, just fields.

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jumper says...
12:49pm Sat 8 Sep 12

epson wrote:
When I was younger there was a local field within easy access to everyone. All your mates used to go for a kickabout and more and more used to join in, even people who weren't mates but soon became them. Those who weren't great joined in for a laugh and got better, but you all enjoyed it.
These days there is hardly anywhere safe to go.
Around where I live now they have fenced off all the school fields, fenced off Cidac, built on Penlake so there is nowhere safe for small kids to go. Clubs and Gyms cost money and bus fares are a joke. The free facilities in St Helens are a joke and they would rather spend money on gimmicky things like town centre sand pits than think long term at the ticking time bomb of obesity. Free swimming for kids was great but that was stopped. If you haven't got money for activities there is nothing for you, and many on low wages (like many in this town) just have to lump it.
We don't need gimmicks, just fields.
Unable to afford to go swimming is terrible,same in my day. The attraction and reputation of some of the parks I terrible

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papyt says...
1:42pm Sat 8 Sep 12

epson,isnt there a large outdoor area near those places that is free i think it is called SHERDLEY PARK!!! or the smaller one accross the road SUTTON PARK the problem is that mums and das will have to do the unthinkable and get off there fat behinds,put down the takeaway tea and actually take the little offsprings to these places,thats the problem selfish parents who find it easier to just let the kids eat crap and sit in front of a game console or tv,i go on about kids pushing prams with a child stuffing its face with a sausage roll,thats were it starts,lazy fat boneidle parents who pamper to the whims of their spoilt kids.

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norm says...
6:13pm Sat 8 Sep 12

The amount of fizzy and 'energy' drinks (that's a laugh!) kids/folk consume is frightening. I am sure if these fatties just cut them out, their weight would plummet.

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Bill Bradbury says...
6:39pm Sat 8 Sep 12

Papyt it's a red letter day. Totally agree with your comment.

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frankly says...
8:32pm Sat 8 Sep 12

Papyt i agree with Bill as well, should we form a group.

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frankly says...
8:36pm Sat 8 Sep 12

my grandkids have parents who DO go out with them and join in, and if they are working, then i do my bit to stand in.i am talking about my 3 pre teens, the 3 in their teens still keep fit without us at their side.And not ONE overweight..parentin
g is a TEAM thing in my family

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jumper says...
10:17am Sun 9 Sep 12

Pressure group wouldn't do any harm

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epson says...
11:09am Sun 9 Sep 12

Dear Papyt, there is no need to shout the names of parks or try and abuse people who post comments on here by assuming that you know their lifestyles or abilities. I do not have a fat arse, eat contstant takeaways and consider myself and my wife to be excellent parents who have always took an interest in everything our children have done and do. My girls are well behaved, polite, caring, well loved and not fed rubbish.
Children should be allowed to be children and play with their friends without being watched by their parents all the time. Did you?
My children are a little old to be taken out and watched now but when they have been to Sherdley or sutton Park they have witnessed group fights, drinking, dog attacks, drug taking, personal robbery and other things that children don't go to see, especially girls.
My point is, the more fields you take away, the less choice there is for the lowlifes to go as well as the decent kids and the decent ones will stay away if it is full of lowlifes. It is a fact, there is not enough for decent kids to do in St Helens, especially if you don't have the resources.

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Sankey says...
12:56pm Sun 9 Sep 12

Epson I understand but thats the society we live in. You are just as likely to see it in the street. As long as you go in the daytime parks are as safe as anywhere.

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epson says...
1:51pm Sun 9 Sep 12

So why keep taking away facilities and recreation areas which have traditionally been open to the general public to exercise and enhance their wellbeing. The topic was about why todays kids are obese, this is one of the reasons.

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jumper says...
2:56pm Sun 9 Sep 12

It is what is known as back door politics,nobody said anything so we thought!

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frankly says...
7:54pm Sun 9 Sep 12

Sankey you are correct, MOST parks/fields near property are safe in daylight hours,MOST of the lowlife would rather go, hooded of course,once daylight ends. Most kids now have mobiles that makes it easier to keep in touch or get help once they are told how to do it.

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kirsty21 says...
3:25pm Mon 10 Sep 12

oh come on, you're all trying to tell me that in the 'good old days' parents would be out playing with their children?
or is it just that it was safer and easier for kids to play out, and yeah more places to play
I know a street full of families with young children, and a patch of grass where the kids would play games, and one resident complained so the council dumped a mound of soil in the middle of the grass so that the kids couldn't play, it isnt always the parents fault,
I agree some parents do jus dump their child in front of the tv with a take away, but not all
and when I was young the fruit van would drive round and we would get money for things like pomegranates, now theres only ever an ice cream van

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papyt says...
6:28pm Mon 10 Sep 12

all i have read on these pages are excuses for not letting kids play out,so the little darlings will have to walk a bit further to go to a park,so be it,the problem is they dont whant to go out and play like we did they prefare staying at home on facebook or games console playing against their mates who are sat at their homes doing the same,and parents are happy to let them do it because it is less hassle,parents should make them do a sport join a local club and encourage them,not wrap them in cotton wool and make excuses for them,the fact is eat crap daily and do no exersise = fat lardy kids,no excuses or passing the buck will change that.

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retro 1 says...
10:26pm Wed 12 Sep 12

too many fast food joints ,the towns packed with em

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