Should strategies to tackle childhood obesity also focus on mental health?

Abstract

Childhood obesity continues to be a concern in the UK as in many other countries. Although there has been a ‘levelling off’ of BMI recorded through the National Childhood Measurement Programme in recent years, the upward trend continues in older and more deprived children. Childhood obesity has been linked to poor mental health; whether psychological and social problems are a consequence or a contributor to obesity is unknown. Childhood obesity programmes that recognise and address psychosocial problems are proving useful in addressing obesity problems, but their continued support is subject to funding. School nurses, by measuring children's height and weight, can identify children at risk of obesity, but this is ineffective on its own and more support and advice is needed for school nurses on how to tackle the complex conditions surrounding childhood obesity.