Obesity figures for P1 children are above the national average
Too many young children are proving to be heavyweights, with over one in four primary one pupils in the isles classed as being overweight or obese.
Figures in a report before Monday’s children and families committee showed 26.1 per cent of youngsters in their first year of primary education were carrying too much weight.
That compares to a national average of 22.9 per cent.
The stats, from 2016/17, were shown in a five year active Shetland strategy report which went before councillors on Monday.
Sport and leisure manager Neil Watt was questioned by Davie Sandison, over the figures. The Shetland Central member wanted to know what could be done to target the problem.
Mr Watt said discussions had been held with sportscotland. He said there was recognition of a need for education around healthy lifestyles to move into early years.
“If we get them at that early stage then hopefully we can set them off on the right track,” he said.
• See Friday’s Shetland Times for full story.
Steven Jarmson
I’d be more interested to know the split between areas.
I very rarely see parents in Lerwick with young children that are walking, they usually tie them down in prams or buggies.
Whilst the oppisite seems to be the case outside of Lerwick. Only the youngest babies are in prams.
Healthy living starts with parents.
Ali Inkster
Maybe if schools were kept in the communities they serve the bairns would be able to get two good walks in every day.
Mr ian Tinkler
Obesity, especially in early childhood is nearly always down to poor diet. A fat 3-year-old, or any under ten, has simply been overfed or badly fed, no more no less. Sugars in sweets, biscuits and cakes are the usual culprits frequently accompanied with rotten teeth. It is not rocket science; one can hardly send a toddler off on a long walk or run. A single slice of bread is about 70 (K)cals, (a walk of a mile plus to burn off those cals), 3 small sweets 70kcals. Now its Chrismas, to be topical, a single Tesco mince pie, Calories 217, that would be a three-mile walk. That is a long way for a 3-year-old!! Overfeeding, overindulging, spoiling, with all the love in the world is, however unintentional, is really just child neglect through ignorance: no sugar, no sweets, a healthy child and with no obesity, and no rotten teeth. It is as simple as that.
Graham Fleming
In Japan it has been reported that 60% of children in the Fukishima area have,diabetes 2.In the world epidemic,victims are accused of being idle,eating the wrong foodstuffs etc,in 37 years work I have had 2 weeks off ,FOR illness,but most of that time suffering from that condition.What really is damaging our endocrine systems ourselves or living in an unhealthy Environment caused by bad government. Maybe 2019 is the year when we start joining the dots -(happy New year,bliadhna mhath ur, guid new year tae ane and aw!) The truth is out there.
Mr ian Tinkler
What nonsense Graham. Try telling the truth and reference your facts. Shock us all with a little honesty.
Graham Fleming
Marshall Islands,33 % of population with diabetes, 67 nuclear bombs detonated in area.Large areas uninhabitable top of the world league for the diabetes epidemic. No evidence, – Indeed!
Peter Hamilton
On the other hand Graham, telling Ian the truth and referencing your facts may not make him sweeter.
ian tinkler
Never been sweet about dishonesty Peter. Perhaps you realise that!!
Peter Hamilton
Surely what Ian is sweet on is abusing those he disagrees with. What he said initially about diet and exercise stands to reason, but it doesn’t invalidate Graham’s points about environmental factors.
Hand on heart I don’t think I know anything about “endocrine systems” though maybe I do by another name. I guess that’s true for some other readers. Had Ian been less unpleasant about Graham’s points, calling them “nonsense” and branding Graham a liar, we might, by now, have been better informed.
Air pollution in London might incline some parents of bairns with asthma from playing on the streets, and that toxic air could therefore contribute to obesity, so paying attention to the environment and other direct and indirect factors may be of help. Child poverty could be another factor. Its complex.
Toxic public debate can contribute to worse things than apathy or ignorance. It cost Jo Cox MP her life. I wish that Ian would realise that his seemingly endless readiness to resort to a snide, unpleasant and belittling approach is a genuine deterrent to public debate. It might give him a momentary addict’s pleasure, but maybe it could be hardening his arteries in the long run.
Ian Tinkler
No argument necessary here!! Peter Hamilton, just your narrow stupidity at its best and so typical.. Only what has poor Jo Cox have to do with the rampant disinformation and dishonest comments of Graham Fleming? The simple lie from Graham Fleming, to quote his words, “In Japan it has been reported that 60% of children in the Fukishima area have, diabetes 2.” That is a lie, no more no less!. Followed by another piece of nonsense about the nuclear tests on Bikini (Marshal Island). Heads out of tail end Peter Hamilton, please. Diabetes 2 is incredibly rare in children and nearly always a result in a high sugar diet and overeating in adults resulting in excess body fat. It is not a radiation produced disease. That is just a simple medical fact, sorry if it is beyond your comprehension, but as I always say, ignorance is such bliss, sad our teachers sometimes ace in that.
Graham Fleming
Dr Tinkler,the sheer horrendous mess the Fukishima disaster has created for Japan and the planet ,resulted in a complete shutdown of the industry in Japan with 80% of the population firmly against it.It is still belching radiation into the Pacific, the lifespan of some of the nuclear gunk has many thousands of years to go.
Isn’t it Excellent news this week another new nuclear plant is be curtailed in the United Kingdom bringing the total now to three,probably due to the highly expensive production costs compared to offshore wind farms,the Japanese clear warning on brexit investment may have been a factor but I bet the sheer dangerousness of nuclear,(which would keep every lawyer going here to retirement if something like that happened here).,would be weighing big on their minds.
Radiation and health in excess do not go together,a bit like overdosing on nicotine and lung cancer, alcohol and liver problems, drugs and mental health etc.
The diabetes epidemic is not going to get any better ,the nonsense you talk about the Marshall islands is that ten of the 20 next leading countries are all in that Pacific area zone where the U.S.A and France fired nuclear weapons.I know looking in the argument might be that they are obese Polynesian slobs bringing it on themselves or the scientific fact that RADIATION does affect the endocrine systems of life.I am not a racist ,I don’t blame them and it is too remarkable to be a coincidence!