Youngsters in the Rother Valley must be given the chance to get active for an hour each day if the area is ever to call time on childhood obesity, MP Kevin Barron has warned.
The Labour MP joined some of the UK’s top politicians, including public health minister Anna Soubry, at a summit meeting convened by the British Heart Foundation (BHF) to discuss how to fight the causes of childhood obesity.
Latest figures from the National Child Measurement Programme show 20 per cent of year six children in Rotherham are obese.
During the event, Mr Barron heard how young people in his constituency needed more encouragement to get active.
Mr Barron said: “Rotherham is locked in a battle with childhood obesity and the rising tide is not going to subside without action from politicians, parents, schools and children themselves.”
“I was surprised to learn just an hour of physical activity each day can be part of the solution.”
“We also need to look at helping parents make better choices about the food they’re serving up, while protecting the next generation from the dangers of sophisticated junk food marketing.”