Audit of Looked After Children (LAC) in residential care and BMI increase in one UK local authority. (October 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bailey, Ella; Teh, Corina; Peet, Heather
• Is Part Of: Adoption & fostering. Volume 45:Number 3(2021)
• Page Start: 339
• Page End: 347
• Publication Date: 2021-10
• Subjects: Looked after children -- residential care -- obesity -- UK; Adoption -- Periodicals; Foster home care -- Periodicals; Adopted children -- Periodicals; Foster children -- Periodicals; Child welfare -- Periodicals; 362.7305
• DOI: 10.1177/03085759211043246
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0308-5759

Abstract

The rise of obesity among the UK's child population has become a serious public health issue. Looked after children (LAC) have been highlighted as a vulnerable group, with increased health needs compared to other children and young people from comparable socio-economic backgrounds. Among the risks of serious complications related to obesity in children and young adults are cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, lipid abnormalities, sleep apnoea and musculoskeletal disorders. This health note summarises findings from a recent cross-sectional study of 14 children in five residential care homes in one UK local authority.