Guernsey children obesity trend 'troubling', says official

One in every three nine and 10-year-olds are either overweight or obese in Guernsey, figures suggest.

The School Nursing staff team, along with the Education Department, surveyed primary school children and compared their weight and height against the national average.

Their findings suggest that diet and lack of exercise are to blame.

Lynn Spencer, health promotion officer, said: "The current trend towards unhealthy living is troubling."

"Adults aged 19 to 64 years should aim for a total of at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity over one week.

Children and Young People aged 5 to 18 should aim for at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity every day." she added.

The Department of Education said schools had a variety of measures in place for primary age pupils, including providing nutritional advice to parents and pupils.

The survey is the first of its kind in the Bailiwick, and the States confirmed officials will continue to study the weight of children over the next few years.

Christine Jewell, a school nurse who specialises in weight management, said the survey was "an important step in understanding the extent of any problem we might have".

Guernsey's Health Promotion Unit has been helping people get the necessary information on health and fitness, via a pop-up shop in St Peter Port.