More than 6,000 children, including hundreds as young as four years old, have undergone treatment at NHS specialist weight-loss clinics, exposing the alarming scale of England’s childhood obesity crisis.
NHS England’s newly released data reveals that since the launch of the first Complications from Excess Weight (CEW) clinic in 2021, a total of 6,497 children and teenagers have received care. Among them, 423 were only four years old, 1,088 were aged five to eight, 1,791 were between nine and twelve, and 3,137 were teenagers aged 13 to 17. The ages of 58 patients remain unrecorded.
Every child treated was classified as extremely overweight for their age. For example, four-year-olds in the program weighed an average of 33kg (5st 3lbs)—equivalent to the typical weight of a 10-year-old. Approximately 400 children have also received weight loss injections as part of their treatment plans.
Strict Referral Criteria and Severe Health Risks
To qualify for treatment at a CEW clinic, children must be referred by a paediatrician, GP, or childhood mental health services. They must have a body mass index (BMI) above the 99.6th percentile and suffer from a weight-related illness.
New research analyzing nearly 6,000 children from these clinics, presented at the European Congress on Obesity in Istanbul, found grim health complications: 17% had high blood pressure, a similar proportion exhibited abnormal blood fat levels, and 6% had developed type 2 diabetes.
The study, conducted by Sheffield Hallam University alongside Leeds Beckett, University of Leeds, University of Bristol, and University of Sheffield, also uncovered that nearly 30% of these children suffered from metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, while 17% experienced obstructive sleep apnoea. Mental health struggles were widespread: 9% had deliberately self-harmed and 9% battled anxiety. A significant number were neurodivergent, with just under 30% diagnosed with autism and about 12% with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Additionally, 24% had learning disabilities.
Urgent Calls for Action from Health Experts
Experts warn these figures demand immediate interventions to restrict junk food sales and make nutritious food more affordable.
Katharine Jenner, executive director at the Obesity Health Alliance, emphasized, “These statistics should serve as a wake-up call. The fact that children as young as four require specialist NHS treatment for obesity highlights how early poor health drivers are taking hold. Our children grow up surrounded by unhealthy food options, with families battling a system that overwhelmingly favors less healthy choices.
“Seeing children develop high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and early heart disease symptoms at such a young age underscores the urgent need for prevention to begin in early childhood. Healthy food must become easier, cheaper, and more accessible for all families, regardless of their location.”
Dr Helen Stewart, health improvement officer at the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, added, “The rising number of children treated at CEW clinics is deeply concerning. Childhood obesity continues to cause serious health problems, especially among disadvantaged groups, where obesity significantly increases risks of chronic illness, mental health challenges, and potentially reduced life expectancy.”
Positive Impacts of CEW Clinics
Further analysis presented at the conference revealed that children treated at the 39 CEW clinics across England lost an average of 10kg more over two years compared to peers managed only by GPs or community health teams. These clinics provide personalized care, including tailored diets, mental health support, coaching, and weight loss injections prescribed to hundreds of children aged 11 and older.
Prof Simon Kenny, national clinical director for children and young people at NHS England, stated, “Severe obesity affects every aspect of a child’s life—physical health, mental wellbeing, and self-confidence. It is encouraging that NHS CEW clinics are transforming the lives of thousands of children and young people.”
Long-Term Risks and NHS Commitment
Children with obesity face a high likelihood of remaining obese into adulthood, heightening their risk for serious diseases such as heart disease, cancers, and respiratory illnesses at younger ages.
“These clinics are crucial for children who might otherwise face a tragically shortened life—dying decades too soon—and instead offer hope for a full, healthy future,” Prof Kenny added.
He reaffirmed, “Childhood obesity stands as one of the UK’s greatest public health challenges. The NHS remains committed to early intervention to prevent severe long-term health consequences.”
