Child Obesity

EDM number 622 in 2001-02, proposed by Bob Russell on 08/01/2002.

That this House registers with alarm that a survey has revealed that around a quarter of children under four are classified as overweight; notes that this is an increase of nine per cent. in 10 years; recognises that in the past 20 years children's outdoor play and leisure activities have declined in favour of sedentary indoor ones; believes that the relative poor health and fitness levels of today's young people will result in them getting breathing, mobility and heart problems at an earlier age than previous generations; warns that this will add further pressures on the National Health Service and other services; and calls on the Government to introduce programmes to encourage healthier and fitter lifestyles including a statutory requirement of a minimum of two hours physical education every week within the school curriculum timetable to help combat child obesity.

This motion has been signed by a total of 44 MPs.