| Child obesity levelling off, says government | Posted on 03/11/2009 in Medical Government/ NHS related news New data indicates progress on childhood obesity in the UK after the healthy towns help communities Change4Life initiative, it has been reported.
Figures from Oxford University showed that forecasts of childhood obesity levels would have to be revised downwardly.
The data, based on predictions up to 2020, revealed a 17 per cent drop in the forecast of overweight girls aged two to 11 over the last few years and in boys of the same age, the figures indicate a five per cent drop in the forecast number of overweight youngsters.
"The encouraging news that child obesity may be levelling off is thanks to the hard work of families, schools and the NHS across England," stated public health minister Gillian Merron.
The Change4Life healthy towns project, launched a year ago this month, incorporates areas such as Dudley, Halifax, Sheffield, Middlesbrough and Manchester.
Over the year, initiatives of the scheme have included free fruit and vegetables for the 5,629 year seven pupils in Sheffield and Change4Life-endorsing corner shops stocking fresh produce in Tower Hamlets.
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