Childhood Obesity in London

Child obesity is a significant problem facing London with complex, and often interlinked, causes. There are a number of programmes that have been implemented in the UK and internationally to address the rising trend of obesity, but few have been rigorously evaluated – particularly in terms of cost-benefit analysis or cost-effectiveness.

While it is clearly a complex area, it was found that community or school based programmes that are non-stigmatising can maintain child participation and achieve favourable outcomes.

Looking specifically at the direct costs, GLA Economics’ best estimate of the current cost of publically funded treatment of childhood obesity and its associated consequences in London is £7.1 million a year. It should be noted that this is a rather simple estimate and reliant on a number of simplifying assumptions.

See also the London Assembly's report on child obesity, Tipping the Scales.