CHILD OBESITY

Early day motion 622, tabled 8 January 2002 by Bob Russell (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 44 members.

That this House registers with alarm that a survey has revealed that around a quarter of children under four are classified as overweight; notes that this is an increase of nine per cent. in 10 years; recognises that in the past 20 years children's outdoor play and leisure activities have declined in favour of sedentary indoor ones; believes that the relative poor health and fitness levels of today's young people will result in them getting breathing, mobility and heart problems at an earlier age than previous generations; warns that this will add further pressures on the National Health Service and other services; and calls on the Government to introduce programmes to encourage healthier and fitter lifestyles including a statutory requirement of a minimum of two hours physical education every week within the school curriculum timetable to help combat child obesity.

Signatures by party: Labour 20, Liberal Democrat 14, Labour/Co-operative 4, UUP 3, Plaid Cymru 2, Conservative 1.