More than 6,000 children and teenagers living with severe obesity in England have received treatment at specialist NHS weight-loss clinics, including hundreds of children as young as four years old, according to newly released NHS England data.
The figures, published for the first time, highlight the growing scale of the childhood obesity crisis across England and the increasing pressure on health services to tackle serious weight-related conditions among young people.
Since the first Complications from Excess Weight clinic opened in 2021, a total of 6,497 children and teenagers have been treated through the NHS programme. Among them were 423 four-year-olds, 1,088 children aged between five and eight, 1,791 aged nine to 12, and 3,137 teenagers aged between 13 and 17.
The youngest children treated were found to weigh an average of 33kg, roughly equivalent to the average weight of a 10-year-old child.
Children referred to these specialist clinics must have a body mass index above the 99.6th percentile for their age and also suffer from health conditions linked to obesity. Referrals can come from GPs, paediatricians or mental health services.
Around 400 young patients have also been prescribed weight-loss injections as part of their treatment plans.
New research involving almost 6,000 children treated at the clinics is due to be presented at the European Congress on Obesity in Istanbul. The analysis revealed that 17% of patients had high blood pressure, while a similar proportion had unhealthy fat levels in their blood. Around 6% were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.
Researchers also found that nearly 30% of children suffered from metabolic dysfunction-associated liver disease, while 17% experienced obstructive sleep apnoea.
Mental health concerns were also common among patients. Around 9% had deliberately self-harmed and a similar number experienced anxiety. A significant proportion of children were also neurodivergent, with nearly 30% diagnosed with autism and 12% living with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Nearly a quarter had a learning disability.
The research was carried out by academics from Sheffield Hallam University, Leeds Beckett University, the University of Leeds, the University of Bristol and the University of Sheffield.
Health experts described the figures as deeply alarming and warned that urgent action is needed to improve children’s diets and reduce access to unhealthy food.
Katharine Jenner, executive director of the Obesity Health Alliance, said the figures should act as a wake-up call for policymakers and health authorities.
She warned that children are growing up surrounded by unhealthy food choices, making it increasingly difficult for families to maintain healthy lifestyles. Jenner added that the number of young children already developing conditions such as high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes demonstrated the need for prevention strategies to begin in early childhood.
She also called for healthier food to become more affordable and accessible across the country.
Dr Helen Stewart from the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health said it was extremely concerning to see rising numbers of children needing specialist obesity treatment.
She warned that obesity continues to cause major long-term health problems, particularly among children from disadvantaged backgrounds, who face greater risks of chronic illness, mental health conditions and reduced life expectancy.
Additional data presented at the obesity conference showed children treated at the 39 specialist clinics in England were, on average, 10kg lighter after two years than children receiving support only from GPs or community health teams.
The clinics provide tailored support including diet programmes, mental health services, coaching and medical treatment aimed at improving long-term health outcomes.
Professor Simon Kenny, national clinical director for children and young people at NHS England, said severe obesity can affect every aspect of a child’s life, from physical health to emotional wellbeing and self-confidence.
He said the specialist NHS clinics were helping thousands of children improve their health and avoid potentially life-threatening conditions later in life.
Kenny added that childhood obesity remains one of the most serious public health challenges facing England, with obesity in childhood significantly increasing the risk of heart disease, cancer and respiratory illnesses in adulthood.