Some 57,000 children a year are leaving primary school obese or overweight in spite of being a healthy weight when they started, according to an analysis published today.
Cancer Research UK produced the figures as it launched a campaign to highlight the "staggeringly" high level of childhood obesity.
It says that large size school uniforms are now the new norm – accusing the British government of reneging on a commitment to a "robust" strategy to tackle the problem.
Alison Cox, from the charity, said: “The Government has failed children. More than 57,000 children will become overweight or obese during primary school each year in England, and the Government had a chance to prevent this.
"The childhood obesity plan is simply not up to the task of tackling children’s obesity. Instead, the next generation faces a future of ill health, shortened lives, and an overstretched NHS.
“It will take more than encouraging exercise and a sugar tax to tackle the obesity epidemic. The Government has already recognised the influence of junk food marketing on children’s health by banning junk food advertising during children’s programmes – it’s time to close the loop hole during family viewing time."
She added: “Young waistlines have been expanding steadily over the last two decades. With so many overweight and obese children in England, we are seeing a greater need for larger school uniforms. And it’s a shame the Government has missed an opportunity to save lives.”
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