More children overweight by 2050

Almost half of all children will be overweight by 2050 if current trends continue, according to the Department of Health. Twelve years ago, fewer than 10 per cent of primary school children were classified as obese, while now it is 16.9 per cent of boys and 16.8 per cent of girls aged between two and ten. Ed Balls, secretary for Children, Schools and Families, said that from October local authorities will be able to check a central DCSF database to see who is eligible for free school meals, so they can ensure disadvantaged children have access to a healthy meal.