More than 6,000 children living with obesity, including hundreds as young as four, have required treatment at specialist NHS weight-loss clinics, new figures reveal. NHS England data, published for the first time, shows that since the first Complications from Excess Weight clinic (CEW) opened in 2021, 6,497 children and teenagers have been treated. Of these, 423 were four years old, 1,088 were aged five to eight, 1,791 were aged nine to 12, and 3,137 were aged 13 to 17. The four-year-olds weighed an average of 33kg, the same as a typical 10-year-old.
New analysis of nearly 6,000 children treated at CEWs found that 17% had high blood pressure, 17% had abnormal fat levels in their blood, 6% had type 2 diabetes, and nearly 30% had metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease. Additionally, 17% had obstructive sleep apnoea, 9% had self-harmed, and the same proportion had anxiety. A significant number were neurodivergent, with nearly 30% having autism and 12% having attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
Experts described the figures as extremely worrying. Katharine Jenner, executive director at the Obesity Health Alliance, said: 'These figures should be a wake-up call. All parents want their children to grow up healthy, yet seeing children as young as four needing specialist NHS treatment for their weight highlights just how early the drivers of poor health are taking hold.' Dr Helen Stewart, officer for health improvement at the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, added: 'It's extremely concerning that we are seeing more and more children being treated at CEW clinics.'
Further analysis showed that children treated at the 39 CEWs in England were on average 10kg lighter two years later than those who only saw their GP or community health teams. The clinics provide tailored care, including diet plans, mental health support, coaching, and, for some, weight loss jabs. Prof Simon Kenny, national clinical director for children and young people at NHS England, said: 'Severe obesity can impact all aspects of a child’s life – affecting their physical health, mental wellbeing and confidence – so it is fantastic that NHS CEW clinics are helping thousands of children and young people turn their lives around.'
