The West Midlands has the highest rate of obesity and teenage pregnancies in Europe, according to health studies of 27 countries in Europe. As the National Health Service is predicted to cost £6billion by 2015 this is a worrying statistic, and even more worrying for the citizens of the West Midlands. As business in the takeaways and fast food outlets continues to increase, concern by experts for the many adults and children affected by obesity, rises.

Kid’s health is important and will affect their lives as adults, which is why obesity research specialist, Dr Jeremy Tomlinson, is calling for an education programme to help children to understand diet and exercise. One schoolgirl, Rebecca Shakespeare, has attended a ten week course organised by Great Ormond Street Hospital and the Institute for Child Health. The scheme aims to teach parents about healthy eating, substituting healthier options rather than cutting foods out. Rebecca, who is 11 years old and weighed in excess of 12 stone, has enjoyed the course and can now help her mum to understand food labels.

Many people admit that they eat junk food and don’t exercise because that is how they have been raised, not knowing anything different. Paul from Wolverhampton, who is unemployed, weighs 20 stone at the age of 22. He said:

My parents never taught me about healthy living or encouraged me to take part in sports, so I got into the pattern of eating badly and not exercising. I’ve just accepted this is the way I’ll be for the rest of my life.

Other people admit that they can’t be bothered to exercise, or don’t have to time to cook healthy food, relying on ready meals which are full of fat, sugar and salt. The health of children as they copy their parent’s example, doesn’t really stand a chance, as child obesity levels soar along with heart disease, diabetes and other complications of being overweight.