SWINDON is doing its bit to tackle the childhood obesity “time bomb”, according to the council.

LOCAL government bosses have warned of an urgent need to act on the childhood obesity “time bomb”.

The Local Government Association, which represents councils in England and Wales, said more than 600 children and teenagers across the country are being treated for Type 2 diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes is normally only seen in adults. Being obese makes contracting the condition more likely.

In Swindon, a third of children in Year 6 (32.6 per cent) were deemed to be overweight or obese in 2015/16. More than 17 per cent were obese. The figures are roughly on a par with the national average and have remained broadly the same over the past decade.

Nationally, the number of children receiving treatment for Type 2 diabetes has increased.

According to figures from the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, 621 children and young people under the age of 25 were treated for Type 2 diabetes by specialist health units. That figure was a 14 per cent increase on the previous year.

The LGA called on government to act on the obesity “time bomb”. Last year the government unveiled a childhood obesity action plan, including a planned tax on sugary drinks. Coun Izzi Seccombe, chairman of the LGA’s Community Wellbeing Board, branded the Type 2 diabetes rise a “hugely disturbing trend”.

“Obesity is usually linked with major health conditions later on in life, but already we are seeing the devastating consequences at an early age. Ahead of the first anniversary of the childhood obesity plan, this highlights the need to take urgent action on this major public health time bomb.

“It is vital the measures in the childhood obesity plan improve the health of young people, and can help parents make more informed choices about the eating habits and lifestyles of their children.”

In Swindon, efforts to tackle childhood obesity are set out in the council’s Healthy Weight strategy.

The council’s school nurses measure children in reception and Year 6 as part of national efforts to track childhood obesity and to help plan local work, a spokesman said.

Coun Brian Ford, cabinet member for Adults’ Health and Social Care, said: “Whilst obesity rates are a matter of concern, we are taking an extremely positive approach in the borough to tackling this issue. There are several local programmes aimed at children and all family members provided by the council.

“These include the Alive ‘N’ Kicking, child and family weight management programmes, and the Swindon Healthy Schools programme.

“Swindon also has plenty of great parks, open spaces and leisure areas for children and families to play in and burn off energy over the summer holidays and outside of school times.”

Parents have an important role in encouraging their children to stay active and eat healthily, Coun Ford added.