Blame the junk food

Professor Terence Wilkin of Plymouth University blames the rise in childhood obesity purely on larger portion sizes of unhealthy foods and says there is no evidence that PE has any impact on a child’s weight. 

Professor Wilkin said: “The Government is investing in playing fields and sports clubs.  That is just based on an assumption that it will have an effect on childhood obesity – but when we test it, it doesn’t appear to be the case.  If we are right, it means obesity is not something you can alter by providing better facilities.” 

He also said there is no proof that children are exercising less than in previous years.  Professor Wilkin’s comments were based upon his EarlyBird study, which compared the physical activities of children at three primary schools offering widely differing amounts of PE per week – from 1.8 hours to nine hours.  The study found that no matter how much activity was provided, those at schools which lacked provision made up for it afterwards. 

Those who had done a lot of PE at school were so tired when they got home that they did no more activity.  This indicates the level of activity is linked to genes not the opportunities given at school. 

Another study by this team was unable to establish any link between the amount of activity a person carried out and their BMI.

The Department of Health has decided to cancel the funding provided to Professor Wilkin.  The professor said: “They are putting £1.5 billion into providing playing fields.  For every £100 spent on that, we are asking for 7p.  It is a drop in the ocean but we have faced great difficulties.”  Public Health Minister Caroline Flint said: “The department has never made a commitment to the long-term funding of the EarlyBird study, but responded in 2005 to a request for stop-gap funding.  Childhood obesity is an area of key interest to the Government.  The Department of Health continues to invest in research and development on obesity.”

(Mail, p13, Daniel Martin, 1/3 page)