Alarming lack of access to green space fuelling UK child obesity crisis, doctors warn

A UCL study shows that the youngest primary school age children lost 14 minutes of playtime between 2019 and 2021. Photograph: Matthew Horwood/Getty Images

Doctors have warned that a “truly alarming” lack of access to outdoor space at schools is exacerbating Britain’s child obesity crisis.

Child obesity is already a significant public health problem. In England, one in three children are leaving primary school overweight or obese and face a higher risk of serious health conditions, mental health problems and dying prematurely.