Children as young as four have been referred to NHS weight loss clinics as part of a nationwide initiative to combat severe obesity. Since the programme began in 2021, over 6,000 children and young people with severe obesity have been treated at NHS England’s Complications from Excess Weight (CEW) clinics.
Referral Statistics
Data released for the first time show that 6,497 patients were treated at CEW clinics over the past five years. Among them, 423 were aged four or younger, 1,088 were between five and eight, 1,791 were aged 9-12, and 3,137 were teenagers aged 13-17. Children were referred by a community paediatrician or GP if their body mass index (BMI) exceeded the 99.6th percentile. For instance, four-year-olds weighing an average of 33kg—equivalent to a typical 10-year-old—were admitted to the programme.
Treatment and Health Complications
Patients received bespoke care packages including diet plans, mental health support, and coaching. Approximately 400 children were administered weight loss injections. Many were diagnosed with serious conditions such as liver disease, hypertension, sleep apnoea, and type 2 diabetes.
Dr Cath Homer, associate professor in obesity and public health at Sheffield Hallam University, noted: “Severe childhood obesity remains a major public health challenge in England, affecting around 15 per cent of children aged 2 to 15. Living with severe obesity during childhood increases the risk of it persisting into adulthood, leading to serious health issues and reduced life expectancy.”
Expert Commentary
Professor Simon Kenny, NHS England’s national clinical director for children and young people, said: “Severe obesity can impact all aspects of a child’s life. These specialist clinics support children to lose weight safely and build healthier habits. In some cases, they help children who could otherwise face a life cut tragically short.”
Research indicates that CEW clinic patients maintained greater weight loss over time compared to those accessing only community or general practice services. The clinics also successfully reached children from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds.
Broader Context
A 2024 NHS health survey found that over a quarter of children aged 2 to 15 were overweight or living with obesity. Studies show that a four-year-old with severe obesity who does not lose weight has a life expectancy of just 39 years.
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson stated: “Every child deserves the best start in life. We are restricting junk food advertising before 9pm on TV and online, removing up to 7.2 billion calories per year from children's diets, and giving local authorities stronger powers to limit fast-food shops near schools. Through our 10 Year Health Plan, we are shifting focus from sickness to prevention.”
