School absence drives UK childhood obesity crisis, doctors say

A leading factor in the UK's childhood obesity crisis is school absence, according to doctors at specialist clinics, where nearly all severely obese children do not attend school. This pattern has emerged as a key driver since the pandemic. Childhood obesity rates spiked during lockdowns and have not returned to pre-pandemic levels, with persistent absence from English state schools nearly doubling since 2019. Experts cite poorer diets at home, reduced physical activity, and social isolation as contributing factors, though the causal relationship is still being studied. The NHS's 39 specialist clinics treat only 5% of eligible obese children, and the annual cost of obesity-related ill health is estimated at £12bn. While weight-loss drugs show promise, doctors emphasize that rebuilding healthy routines through regular school attendance is crucial for long-term improvement.