HEALTH chiefs in the Lothians are to offer primary children special fitness classes after new figures revealed one in five are overweight when they begin school.
Around 1000 children have been identified as part of the scheme to improve the health of youngsters.
It comes after Scottish Government figures showed 22 per cent of Lothian children were classed as being overweight, obese or severely obese in the
ir first year at school, slightly higher than the national average.
Obesity has long been a problem across the country, and while Lothian shows up well in most statistics relating to baby and child health, weight problems continue to be an issue.
Health chiefs also say weight problems can lead to rising rates of diabetes, heart disease and strokes.
NHS Lothian's consultant in public health Dr Graham McKenzie said action had to be taken in the quest to slim down the region's youngsters.
"These figures show that around one in five children in this age group are overweight or obese," he said.
"These figures have remained at a similar level throughout this decade and Lothian appears to be close to the Scottish average.
"We remain concerned that some overweight and obese children will develop health problems when they get older. That's why we work with partner organisations to provide advice on healthy eating and physical activity."
He said that the Get Going scheme, which will deal with 1000 local youngsters a year, was expected to make gradual inroads on the issue.
"Get Going will provide advice about healthy eating and physical activity sessions for overweight and obese children and their families, delivered in partnership with schools and sports and fitness organisations. We hope that Get Going will help children lead healthier lives."
The health of 5000 children entering primary one was considered for the study, and in the Lothians it was found that ten per cent were overweight, more than eight per cent were obese and more than four per cent were severally obese.
On the other end of the scale, two-and-a-half per cent were considered to be underweight, which is lower than the Scottish average.
The weight of a child is calculated using the body mass index – which is a relatively blunt measurement as it only takes into account a person's height and weight and not other factors such as muscle. In children, however, the result is then compared to other youngsters of the same age and taken as an average.
Those in the top nine per cent are considered overweight, the top two per cent obese, and the top 0.4 per cent severely obese.
Scotland's public health minister Shona Robison said the figures indicated the "sheer scale of the problem" across the country. And the Conservative's shadow health secretary Mary Scanlon added: "No-one can doubt the seriousness of Scotland's obesity epidemic after seeing these figures.
"Such statistics do not bode well for the future."
The full article contains 498 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
