HC Deb 20 November 2003 vol 413 c1366W
Alan Simpson

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research he has commissioned into the effect on childhood obesity of access to healthy foods. [138729]

Miss Melanie Johnson

The Department carries out research and development activity related to diet, nutrition, physical activity and obesity, including the recently completed research initiative on nutrition funded through the Department's policy research programme. Research includes the systematic reviews about the uptake of physical activity and healthy eating by children and young adults.

As part of the Five-a-Day programme, research was undertaken to test the feasibility and practicalities of evidence-based community approaches to improve access to fruit and vegetables. Evaluation of the National School Fruit Scheme will also assess the impact on children's diet.

Alan Simpson

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many children have been treated by the NHS in each of the last 10 years for illnesses(a) directly caused by and (b) aggravated by childhood obesity. [138730]

Miss Melanie Johnson

The number of finished in-year admission episodes for 0–15 years old children in National Health Service hospitals over the last 10 years, where obesity is the primary diagnosis, is shown in the table.

Year Number of finished in-year episodes
1992–93 215
1993–94 190
1994–95 121
1995–96 166
1996–97 151
1997–98 164
1998–99 211
1999–2000 219
2000–01 232
2001–02 239

Source:

Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), Department of Health.

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