WHY is obesity lower than the national average in Ealing among children aged five? But why is it well above the average by 11?

Two charities, HENRY* and the parental support group Family Lives, are tasked with improving health among the borough’s young people. Their work will be funded by the Department of Health.

Healthy Families: Right from the Start is a one-to-one programme with parents, based on a healthy lifestyle, emotional well-being, healthy eating patterns, physical activity and parenting skills.

HENRY (Health Exercise Nutrition for the Really Young) and Family Lives are seeking volunteers in Ealing to work directly with families.

Volunteers able to commit to at least three hours a week will receive five days’ training to become Healthy Start Mentors.

Child obesity is a growing problem which has led to the rise of health issues like diabetes type two, previously considered an adult disease.

The emotional consequences of obesity in childhood can be severe and long-lasting, including bullying, low self-esteem and social exclusion.

Research shows that 80 per cent of obese children will go on to be obese adults. Adult obesity is associated with lower life expectancy and chronic conditions like coronary heart disease and cancer.

More than one in five children in Ealing is overweight or obese (22.4%) by reception age (five years old), compared to the national average of 22.5%.

However, by the time they reach Year Six (10-11), a greater proportion of children in Ealing are overweight or obese than the national average (38.3% compared to 33.5%).

The figures are from the National Child Measurement Programme.

Prospective volunteers and participating families should contact Kassandra Gordon on kassandra.gordon@henry.org.uk or 07591 212749.

*HENRY is a charity that is passionate about babies and young children having a healthy start in life. That means helping the whole family make positive changes to their lifestyle.