Tower Hamlets children need to play more sport to tackle obesity
The MP for Poplar and Limehouse believes more physical activity is the key to tackling childhood obesity - Credit: Archant
Youngsters in Tower Hamlets must have the chance to get active for an hour each day if they are to tackle childhood obesity, its MP has warned.
Jim Fitzpatrick MP joined other MPs and Peers including Public Health Minister Anna Soubry, at a summit meeting convened by the British Heart Foundation (BHF) to discuss how to fight the causes of childhood obesity.
The latest figures from the National Child Measurement Programme show over 25 per cent of Year 6 children in Tower Hamlets are obese1.
During the event, Mr Fitzpatrick heard how there must be more encouragement for young people to get active in his constituency, including raising awareness of the fact children and young people in should be getting at least an hour of physical activity each day.
He also learnt how children must be better protected from junk food marketing and parents helped to make better choices about the food they buy for their family.
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Jim Fitzpatrick MP said: “Tower Hamlets is locked in a battle with childhood obesity and the rising tide is not going to subside without action from politicians, parents, schools and children themselves.
“I was surprised to learn just an hour of physical activity each day can be part of the solution. We also need to look at helping parents make better choices about the food they’re serving up, while protecting the next generation from the dangers of sophisticated junk food marketing, both on the TV and online.
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“The British Heart Foundation’s summit was a real eye-opener about the scale of the problem and I’ll be working hard with the charity to make sure we tackle it head on in the borough.”
