A six year old child who has had a stroke is just the latest in a number of children who are suffering as a result of child obesity. Another child who suffered a stroke was only eight years old. Shockingly, the number of children who are being treated in hospital as a result of obesity has risen alarmingly, with hundreds of three year old children being admitted to hospital around the United Kingdom.
Since 2006, 40 babies have been admitted to hospital as a result of obesity, with some one year olds reaching three stone. According to specialists the normal weight for a child that age is around one and a half stone. Doctor Ken Ong from Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge said:
I certainly see children under the age of two years old. We are seeing more and more referrals in that age range.
Specialists in child obesity have warned that parents are the main cause of the problem, with a large number feeding their children fizzy drinks, crisps and chocolate. It is also known that some parents puree junk food or mash up chips and feed it to their babies and toddlers. Doctor Ong also believes that there are many more babies and toddlers in the community who are overweight, but only the excessively obese are being seen by specialists.
Worryingly, as the levels of child obesity continue to rise at alarming rates, child stroke victims may also continue to increase.
