A new report reveals alarming declines in the health of children in the UK, citing increasing poverty and aggressive marketing of cheap junk food as primary culprits. According to the charity The Food Foundation, these factors are contributing to children becoming shorter, fatter, and sicker.

The report highlights that the average height of five-year-olds in the UK has decreased annually since 2013. Data from the Non-Communicable Diseases Risk Factor Collaboration, a network of health scientists, places UK boys and girls among the shortest in high-income countries.

Obesity levels have also soared, with a 30% increase in obesity among 10-11-year-olds since 2006. Currently, one in five children is classified as obese by the time they finish primary school, based on figures from the National Child Measurement Programme.

Moreover, diet-related illnesses are on the rise. The report cites a 22% increase in cases of Type 2 diabetes among under 25s over the past five years, according to the National Diabetes Audit 2021-2022.

Anna Taylor, Executive Director of The Food Foundation, called the findings "deeply concerning" and urged immediate action to address the root causes. "The aggressive promotion of cheap junk food and growing levels of food deprivation are wreaking havoc on our children's health. We must tackle these issues urgently to ensure a healthier future for our young people," Taylor stated.

The report underscores the urgent need for policy interventions to combat poverty, improve access to nutritious food, and regulate the marketing of unhealthy food products to children.

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