A CAMPAIGN backed by "everyone in the city" was urged this week to tackle Sheffield's increasing levels of child obesity.
Director of Public Health Dr Jeremy Wight warned of "a significant and growing problem" that needed the widest of support.
It is a condition that can cause "psychological distress and lead to a high risk of developing serious health problems", said Dr Wight in his annual Public Health Report.
Although research shows that levels of overweight and obese children in Sheffield appear to have increased over the previous year, they remain lower than the national average.
But Dr Wight spelled out the dangers.
"Being overweight can cause psychological distress. Teasing and bullying about appearance can affect a child's confidence and self-esteem.
It can lead to isolation and depression, which in turn can impact on their school attendance and attainment levels.
"Children who are overweight tend to grow into adults who are overweight and so have a high risk of developing serious health problems."
Dr Wight is urging the city council, NHS Sheffield, universities and colleges, the private and voluntary sectors, local media "and the people of Sheffield" to support city-wide long term initiatives to increase physical activity among children, improve their diet and support their social and emotional well-being.
Results of the national Weighing and Measuring Programme show that the percentage of overweight children in the reception year in Sheffield's primary schools increased from 9.7% in 2006-07 to 12% in 2007-08 and in Year Six from 12.5% to 13.2%.
The percentage of obese children in the reception year rose from 6.9% last year to 8.1% this year and in Year Six from 14.8% to 17.5%.
NHS Sheffield is developing an Obesity Action Plan for adults.
Figures indicate 22% of the city's population is classed as obese and a further 34% overweight with more men (55%) than women (49%) in the two categories.
Vaccinations pleaSHEFFIELD children's lives are being put at risk because fewer of them are having the full range of vaccinations against mumps, measles and rubella, said Dr Wight.
Falling numbers of children receiving the "simple, safe and highly effective" MMR vaccine is "putting children at risk of serious illness and death".
Dr Wight calls on parents, with the help of primary health care teams, to ensure their children receive the full range of appropriate vaccinations.
Closing health gapSHEFFIELD'S health continues to improve – but there is still a gap between the richer and poorer parts of the city.
And the narrowing of the divide which occurred in the early part of the decade has now ceased.
Dr Wight said a programme designed to improve health and reduce mortality in one third of the city with the worst health and deprivation levels, must be developed further.
At the same time he said initial findings from a major evaluation of the strategy were "encouraging", with evidence of co-operation between agencies, better use of resources and the successful encouragement of individuals and communities.
Sheffield's mortality rates from the major diseases continue to fall and life expectancy continues to increase – the average for men is 77, for women 81.2 years.
Carers' strategyTHE annual report highlights a plan by NHS Sheffield and Sheffield City Council to produce a Carers' Strategy to support the city's 56,000 carers, about 10% of the population.
Around 1,000 carers are under 16, 13,000 over 65 and 250 are over 85-year-olds who provide more than 50 hours of care a week.
Dr Wight said that primary care staff could play a crucial role in identifying carers and recommended that more information is provided for them in health and social care settings, such as on hospital wards, and that flexible breaks for carers are considered.
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