Don’t ‘pussyfoot’ around dealing with England’s childhood obesity crisis, warns minister

Children’s minister Claire Coutinho warned on Thursday against “pussyfooting” around dealing with England’s obesity crisis among youngsters.

She stressed that the nation has a “problem with childhood obesity” which should not be ignored.

She believes that children should be told “sensitively” if they are overweight.

Ms Coutinho was asked on LBC Radio about new research by Queen Mary University of London raising concerns over the impact, and potential harm, on children of the Government’s National Child Measurement Programme.

It records the height and weight of primary school children in England, compiling data on long-term trends in childhood obesity, but there are concerns that it could be stigmatising overweight youngsters, as well as causing anxiety and teasing.

Speaking on LBC Radio Ms Coutinho said: “We have got to be quite practical about these things.

“We have a problem with childhood obesity and we need to address it.

“We also know that children are happier, they are healthier, they live longer when they have healthier weights.

“So I think it’s very important that we can be very practical about these things.”

She added: “I come from a family where everyone works in the NHS and I think you need to be quite open and practical when you are dealing with people’s health and not sort of pussyfoot around too much.

Pressed on whether people should tell children that they are overweight, she added: “You have got to do these things sensitively.

“The most important thing is that you are not trying to ignore the issue, you are addressing whatever the issues with that child.”

Meanwhile, the Government announced that thousands of families across England will be offered help with infant feeding, mental health and relationship building through “family hubs” being rolled out in communities.

The Government said the £300 million programme will benefit 75 areas up to 2025, with hubs offering support from conception through to age 19, or up to 25 for children with special education needs and disabilities.

Family hubs will act as a “one-stop shop” to offer guidance and advice on issues including infant feeding, mental health support, health visits and parenting classes.

They will also offer advice on getting into work, relationship building and stop smoking services.

A parenting programme has praised the move, saying family hubs will “provide a judgement-free space” for people to get help amid the cost-of-living crisis.

Ms Coutinho said: “Having children can be really tough as well as bringing so much joy. All families, from time to time, will need a helping hand.

“Family hubs bring services together helping parents, carers, children and young people to access the support they need more easily.

“Parenting advice ranges from support with breast feeding and mental health to guidance on how to give children a head start on their learning.”

The hubs will also provide early language and communication development for young children to prepare them for school at the age of five.

Fourteen local authority areas will become “trailblazers” and receive extra funding in order to fast-track delivery of services.

Matt Buttery, CEO of parenting programme provider Triple P UK and Ireland, said: “We are delighted that more sites will receive transformation funding, alongside some excellent trailblazer areas. It is now critical for the hubs to get up and running across the UK as soon as possible, to alleviate the increasing pressures faced by parents and young people.”