Obesity: UK GPs See Rising Cases in Under-4s

London, January 25, 2026 — Nearly a quarter of family doctors in the United Kingdom are now seeing children under four years old who are clinically concerned to be obese, a recent survey reveals. It’s a startling statistic, and one that’s prompting difficult conversations – and a lot of hesitation – in doctor’s offices across the country.

Childhood Obesity Crisis: GPs Struggle with Sensitive Conversations

A new survey highlights the growing prevalence of childhood obesity in the UK and the challenges doctors face when addressing it with families.

• Almost 25% of GPs have seen obese children aged four and under.
• Nearly half (49%) have seen obese children up to age seven, including some under one year old.
• 80% of doctors find it challenging to discuss weight with parents, fearing upset or anger.
• Two-thirds struggle to discuss weight directly with the children themselves.

What is driving the rise in childhood obesity? Complex factors like poverty, limited access to healthy food, and a lack of opportunities for physical activity all play a role, according to experts.

The Difficulty of the Discussion

The survey, which included 540 family doctors, also found that almost half (49%) have encountered boys and girls up to the age of seven with obesity, with a small number of cases involving children less than a year old. However, the research also revealed a significant hurdle: four out of five family doctors (80%) find it difficult to discuss weight concerns with parents, worried about causing upset, anger, or even formal complaints. Similar anxieties exist when speaking directly to the children, with nearly two-thirds (65%) finding those conversations challenging.

Doctors often hesitate to address weight due to fears of causing emotional distress or triggering negative reactions from parents and children. Concerns about potentially contributing to disordered eating habits also weigh heavily on their minds.

Dr. John Holden, chief medical officer at MDDUS, which conducted the survey, described the findings as “an alarming confirmation of the growing crisis of childhood obesity across the country and the very real difficulties this creates in everyday GP consultations.” He explained that GPs approach these sensitive conversations “with care and empathy for families under pressure,” recognizing the complex underlying factors at play.

Weight Loss Drugs and Private Access

The survey also touched on the increasing use of weight loss drugs. GPs reported that some patients are obtaining these medications – including GLP-1 drugs – through private pharmacies despite not meeting the necessary medical criteria. This includes individuals with a history of eating disorders, like anorexia or bulimia, or those taking medications that could interact negatively with the drugs. Approximately 67% of doctors have encountered such cases.

Currently, an estimated 1.5 million people in Britain are using GLP-1 drugs for weight loss, with the vast majority accessing them privately, as the NHS has strict eligibility requirements.

A Public Health Challenge

The vast majority of GPs surveyed (92%) believe obesity will be a defining public health challenge during their careers, and 95% anticipate it will significantly strain the National Health Service’s ability to provide care. However, a majority (59%) also expressed optimism that weight loss medications could ultimately save the NHS money, while 22% disagreed.

Katharine Jenner, executive director of the Obesity Health Alliance, a coalition of 65 health and children’s groups, emphasized the urgency of the situation. “The large numbers of GPs who have seen obese infants and young children is another sign we’re letting children down before they even start school,” she stated. “If we’re serious about prevention, it has to begin in the earliest years, otherwise the damage follows them through life.” Jenner called for healthier food and drink formulations, restrictions on marketing of unhealthy products, and increased support for families.

A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Social Care stated that “every child deserves the best possible start in life” and highlighted government initiatives to tackle childhood obesity, including restrictions on junk food advertising and empowering local authorities to limit fast food outlets near schools. They also emphasized a ten-year health plan focused on shifting from treating illness to prioritizing prevention.

What are your thoughts on the challenges of addressing childhood obesity? Share your perspective in the comments below.