Pre‐school overweight and obesity in England

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to provide a summary of current policy and research related to pre‐school overweight and obesity, and to provide a rationale for why early years settings are being placed at the forefront of strategies to address the problem.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on a narrative review of current research, policy and practice.

Findings

Today 22.9 per cent of four and five year olds are overweight or obese. The Healthy Weight, Healthy Lives strategy is a cross‐government initiative, which aims to make England the first major country to reverse the obesity epidemic. The pre‐school period represents a critical time for interventions, which could prevent excess weight gain and its associated physical and psychological damage to health.

Practical implications

Practitioners in early years settings have a significant contribution to make to promoting the healthy weight of children.

Originality/value

Concerns about overweight in childhood have received much attention. This paper seeks to raise awareness of the importance of the pre‐school period, and to provide a useful review of current research, policy and sources of support for those who are best placed to address the issue.

Citation

Robinson, S. and Page, K. (2009), "Pre‐school overweight and obesity in England", Health Education, Vol. 109 No. 6, pp. 507-521. https://doi.org/10.1108/09654280911001176