Many more children are overweight today than in the past. There is a greater variety of food available and advertised to children, some of which is more likely to cause too much weight gain. Many children also get less exercise as they are driven to school rather than walk (to keep them safe) and may have less opportunities for being active. Being overweight can cause problems for children both in health and in how they feel about themselves.
Normal development
Many children look plump in babyhood and early childhood. This is partly due to body shape at this age. As they grow their legs get longer compared with their bodies and they run around more so they naturally lose this look. It is important not to be too worried about children's weight at an early age. At the same time any child who is very overweight compared with others of the same age should have a medical check to see that there are no underlying problems and then some help with healthy eating and exercise.
