Childhood obesity and how to tackle it is one of Britain's biggest health debates.

Couch potato lifestyles, we're told, could be potentially killing our children, and while a raft of activity and lifestyle-related initiatives, such as so-called Fat Camps, are working to address this, a leading weight loss organisation is warning of another threat.

Appearances count and according to Slimming World's recent online survey, more than 200 people have told how they have been taunted in the playground or street and subjected to rude comments and abuse online.

Bullying only exacerbates problems Britain's overweight youngsters are facing, but positive steps are being taken to support them and stamp out the associated troubles obesity can bring.

Since it was developed at Leeds Metropolitan University in 1999, Carnegie Weight Management has supported well over a thousand youngsters, like those above, to lose weight and live healthier lifestyles through its International Camps at Apperley Bridge, Bradford.

The programme, believed to be the only scientifically proven residential weight loss camp for overweight young people in the world, also works with the local community and advises on weight management issues.

Its physical activity and healthy eating programmes promote an immediate and safe weight loss during the camp, and its child centred approach provides positive experiences of physical activity, health education and social interaction promoting lifestyle changes for long lasting results at home.

Professor Paul Gately, technical director at Carnegie Weight Management, says: "It is extremely important to consider the affect that being overweight or obese has on the emotional well being and mental health for children. Although the physical health risks cannot be underestimated, the bullying and teasing that these children suffer from are far more immediate and relevant to the child and can affect them very deeply.

"A quote from one of our children who attended the Carnegie International Summer Camp always stays with me - They say sticks and stones will break your bones but words will never hurt you. They do hurt and they leave really big scars inside.' Really, for me, this captures the essence of the lives that our young people face on a daily basis.

"Not only do overweight and obese children find that they face a barrage of unkind taunts from others, but over time, this leads to them being excluded so that they have limited social interaction and therefore they lose their self-esteem, consequently, they find it hard to develop adequate social skills to be able to cope with the bullying.

"This is a vicious circle which leads to exclusion. These children end up staying at home instead of going out with their friends and begin to gain more weight from being inactive.

"Carnegie Weight Management was set up to protect children and to give them the skills not only to manage their weight effectively but also to build social skills and competency to be able to engage in social interaction and therefore break the cycle of weight gain and bullying."

Caryl Richards, Slimming World's managing director, says: "At Slimming World we hear stories every day from people who are overweight and subjected to verbal, emotional and physical abuse because of their size."

Since its launch last year, nearly 17,000 young people have joined Slimming World's Family Affair scheme, a non-judgmental group aimed at supporting young people to make vital lifestyle changes to help them lose weight.

Says Caryl: "We're passionately committed to helping them to reach their goals. We know that the emotional and psychological support they need to raise their self-esteem and confidence is as important as changing their eating habits. That's why joining a group and sharing the experiences of others in a mutually supportive environment is so successful."

To demonstrate their commitment to the cause, Slimming World recently supported the NSPCC's Defeat Bullying campaign.

Chris Cloke, head of child protection awareness at the NSPCC, says: "Children can be bullied for a variety of reasons, and sometimes it will be because they are seen as being in some way different to others.

"People should never be judged by their appearance. This is never acceptable. The NSPCC is committed to tackling bullying in all its forms and part of that is through promoting respect of others and raising self esteem."

According to a recent study carried out in Bradford and District, one in five ten-to-11-year-olds is obese. In response to the findings health experts have now launched a joint action plan incorporating a new obesity team and a childhood obesity coach.

Jane Thompson, obesity champion for Bradford and Airedale PCT, says: "Reducing the number of overweight and obese children and young people in our district is a key priority. We are working with the local authority and other partners to prevent obesity by supporting healthy eating and encouraging physical activity in people of all ages, especially in children and young people.

"As well as the longer-term health effects of obesity, we are aware of the psychological issues, particularly for young people who are noticeably overweight."

Conscious of the need to support younger children, Professor Gately recently launched what is understood to be the first fat camp' for under-fives. He is currently working with a TV crew for a documentary to raise awareness of this increasing problem.

"One in four pre-scholars are already overweight or obese, so clearly there is a huge need for intervention for this age group. Obviously, the earlier we can intervene, the earlier we can prevent the adverse consequences of obesity," says Professor Gately.

"Currently I am filming a series with Granada working with four families from diverse backgrounds. The programme tracks the progress the children as well as their family makes in trying to manage their weight effectively using a proven model which we have used for the past eight years for all the Carnegie Weight Management intervention programmes. This comprises a holistic and evidence approach which allows families to identify and modify their behaviour appropriately without the distractions of everyday life.

"I think it is very important for this work to be aired on prime-time television to enable us to communicate to the general public and raise awareness of these issues so that we can try and tackle this public health crisis of childhood obesity."

  • To find our more about the Carnegie Weight Management visit www.carnegieweightmanagement.com or call 0113 812 5233. For more information about Slimming World's Family Affair Scheme call 0844 897 8000 or visit www.slimmingworld.com