Childhood obesity clinics seeing BMI scores over 50 as referrals rise from deprived areas
Children with a body mass index (BMI) of over 50 are among thousands referred to specialist NHS clinics in England for treatment of severe obesity, with new research revealing a striking link between excess weight, deprivation and complex health needs.
Since the specialist weight management services were launched in 2021, nearly 4,800 children aged 2 to 17 have been referred, according to a study led by Leeds Beckett, Sheffield Hallam, Leeds, and Bristol universities. The findings were presented at the European Congress on Obesity.
Clinics provide a holistic approach to care, offering not only dietary advice but also mental health support and treatment for other medical conditions. Individuals are referred by their GP or another clinician and are cared for by multi-disciplinary teams, including paediatricians, psychologists and dietitians.
Analysis of data from more than 3,000 children across 32 of these clinics revealed:
Over 40 per cent lived in the most deprived parts of the country
24 per cent had autism
23 per cent had a learning disability
30 per cent had liver disease
A significant proportion were managing at least one other health complication
Professor Simon Kenny, NHS England’s National Clinical Director for Children and Young People, said he was “shocked” by the severity of the issues facing children in the programme.
“I became aware of the fact that this is an invisible problem because they so rarely get out of the house. That means they are not attending school or interacting with peers,” he said. “Excess weight can affect every organ system and has major implications for future health and opportunities.”
Some children referred to the clinics were classified as severely obese, with a BMI of 40 or more — and in some cases, even exceeding 50.
To support weight management at home, some clinics are turning to digital tools. Smart weighing scales connected to mobile apps are being used to track a child’s weight trend without showing the actual number, helping to reduce anxiety. Only clinicians can access the full data to guide families.
Also at the Congress, researchers from Karolinska University Hospital in Sweden presented findings on the use of weight-loss drugs, such as GLP-1 agonists, in children. Trials in those aged 12 and over showed weight reductions of 5 to 16 per cent after one year. However, experts cautioned that more evidence is needed to understand how these medicines work alongside other interventions.