Select a region
Modern living – rather than poor parenting – is to blame for the large number of Jersey children leaving primary school at an unhealthy weight, according to a local health expert.
Following analysis of the BMI of 1,835 four- to five-year-olds (Reception) and 10- to 11-year-olds (Year 6), the latest Child Measurement Report was released last week.
It found that one in five Reception children were overweight or obese, and nearly one in three Year Six pupils.
According to Martin Knight, the Government's Head of Health Improvement, parents should not be blamed for these statistics and attributed the trend to changing food environments that particularly impact low-income families.
Pictured: BMI categories by year group. (Public Health)
"These high levels of obesity among children in Jersey and other countries is one of the effects of our modern lives," he said.
"It's not a result of poor parenting, lack of self-control, or just genetic factors alone that we have seen this shift to increasingly unhealthy weights.
"Our diets have adapted to our busy, time-poor schedules, with energy-dense, highly processed foods, often the more affordable, convenient, accessible, and generally easier option.
"At the same time, we are eating less of what's good, such as nutritious whole foods, fruit, and vegetables, which protect us from disease and help maintain healthier weights."
Mr Knight added that energy-dense, highly processed foods are often more affordable and convenient options for busy families.
Pictured: "These high levels of obesity among children in Jersey and other countries is one of the effects of our modern lives."
"[Islanders] tell us they would like healthier diets but that often affordability, accessibility, and life pressures mean they find less healthier options easier," he said.
The link between obesity and economic status were also reflected in the report — which revealed disparities in children's weight depending on where they lived and what schools they attended.
Children attending non-fee-paying schools were 13% less likely to maintain a healthy weight compared to those in fee-paying schools.
In addition, urban areas showed higher obesity rates, with 40% of Year 6 pupils classified as overweight or obese, compared to 23% in rural areas.
Mr Knight explained: "The differences in obesity rates between urban and rural parishes are consistent with the national and international picture.
"Urban areas often have less green space and a higher exposure to fast food outlets and cheap energy-dense, nutrient-poor foods.
"The differences in obesity rates between fee-paying and non-fee paying again highlights these social determinants of health, with those with greater financial means more easily accessing a healthy lifestyle, and more nutritious food."
To help support families from lower income backgrounds, Mr Knight said that a range of projects and services have been launched by Public Health.
This includes an initiative called 'Healthy Start' which provides vouchers for fresh fruits and vegetables to parents of young children who are also in income support.
Meanwhile, a collaborative project launched by a local charity and subsidised by the Government aims to provide an affordable daily lunch service and free school meals to children of low-income families in ten of the island's primary schools, with plans to roll out the pilot project to all primary schools by the end of the year.
FOCUS: Report exposes child obesity levels across Channel Islands
"As food costs climb, fresh fruits and vegetables become more of a luxury"
FOCUS: What are the key priorities for the new government?
DIGEST(ing too much?): One in two Jersey adults overweight or obese
LISTEN: "We’ve never had this much demand for food services"
Comments
Comments on this story express the views of the commentator only, not Bailiwick Publishing. We are unable to guarantee the accuracy of any of those comments.