THE Welsh obesity epidemic hit a new low yesterday as it emerged more and more families are creating downstairs bedrooms or fitting stairlifts for their obese children. The adaptations are being made for children with weight problems so bad they cannot cope with stairs.  Extra-strong beds and chairs, as well as special bathroom and bedroom adaptations, are also in growing demand as the proportion of youngsters classed as obese increases. One company supplying equipment for obese people yesterday reported a dramatic drop in the age of the youngest people needing its products.

Experts say the problem has been left far too long if a home needs modifications for a child’s obesity, and warn that some mobility aids could end up depriving young people of the routine exercise they need to help them fight the condition. Colin Waine said, “In the last year or so there have been several cases.  It might mean stronger beds. If there are stairs, some may have difficulty in climbing stairs. A stairlift is one of the possibilities, but of course climbing stairs is the kind of exercise they need.  In a way it’s like closing the stable door after the horse has bolted. By then the child will have major health problems and be at increased risk of heart disease, diabetes, cancer or musculoskeletal problems.  We ought to be trying to pick up children earlier who show signs of becoming overweight. Some children become overweight because of disability which made it harder for them to take regular exercise.  You can also find it with people with certain mental health problems. But they’re the exception. The majority of these people are starting off as normal babies.”