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Girls as young as four go to the doctor with joint problems caused by obesity.
Data on 120,000 children from the National Child Measurement Program and GP records showed that girls were almost twice as likely to seek help for musculoskeletal problems than their peers.
Knee and back problems were most common, and experts warned that they were caused by the strain of carrying too much weight.
But the same effect was not seen in boys, according to researchers at Queen Mary University of London.
Data on 120,000 children from the National Child Measurement Program and GP registers showed that girls were almost twice as likely to seek help for musculoskeletal problems than their peers (stock)
They analyzed 63,418 reception children who were aged four to five and 55,364 year six children who were aged 10 to 11.
Around 8.9 per cent of boys were overweight compared to 7.1 per cent of girls when they started primary school, rising to 19.9 per cent and 14.4 per cent respectively at six years.
Compared with anonymised GP data, they found that 3 per cent of receiving children and 8 per cent of six-year-olds had at least one GP appointment related to joint problems.
This included 194 four- and five-year-olds and 875 year-six children who had repeated consultations on the subject.
Overall, girls were more likely to see their doctor, according to findings published in the Archives of Disease in Childhood.
On average, first employment took place almost three years after the NCMP survey in reception and just over two years after the year six survey.
Girls of reception age considered obese were a quarter (24 per cent) more likely to see a GP at least once with a musculoskeletal problem, rising to 67 per cent if they were obese.
Nicola Firman from Queen Mary University said: ‘We hope our findings will raise awareness of the importance of poor musculoskeletal health and drive more research into understanding the link with childhood obesity.
Over one million children had their height and weight measured under the National Child Measurement Program (NCMP). Nationally, the number of children in Year 6 is over a third, despite falling slightly since Covid began
“More needs to be done at policy level to support families to prevent obesity and potentially reduce the risk of musculoskeletal pain.”
Among the reception children, 22 per cent reported of the boys and 32 per cent of the girls back pain, compared to 30 per cent. of the boys in the 6th grade and 45 per cent of the girls in the 6th grade.
Researchers warned that poor musculoskeletal health in childhood has the potential to have a significant impact on quality of life throughout childhood and continues into adolescence and adulthood.
Participation in some physical activities may be limited by musculoskeletal problems, the research team added, with further research required into why boys were less likely to have medical consultations.
They wrote: ‘In turn, increased weight has the potential to contribute to ongoing musculoskeletal pain, and as a result, children may experience a perpetual obesity/musculoskeletal pain cycle as adolescents and adults.’
Victoria King from Barts Charity, which funded the study, said: ‘Building a stronger evidence base for the possible causes of joint and muscle pain can lead to policy changes that will improve the health of children in East London as well as nationally.’
WHAT SHOULD A BALANCED DIET LOOK LIKE?
Meals should be based on potatoes, bread, rice, pasta or other starchy carbohydrates, ideally whole grains, according to the NHS
• Eat at least 5 portions of different fruits and vegetables every day. All fresh, frozen, dried and canned fruit and vegetables count
• Based on potatoes, bread, rice, pasta or other starchy carbohydrates, preferably whole grains
• 30 grams of fiber per day: This is the same as eating all of the following: 5 portions of fruit and vegetables, 2 wholegrain crackers, 2 thick slices of wholegrain bread and a large baked potato with the skin on
• Have some dairy products or dairy products (such as soy drinks) by choosing lower fat and lower sugar
• Eat some beans, legumes, fish, eggs, meat and other proteins (including 2 portions of fish each week, one of which should be fatty)
• Choose unsaturated oils and spreads and consume in small quantities
• Drink 6-8 cups/glasses of water a day
• Adults should have less than 6g of salt and 20g of saturated fat for women or 30g for men per day
Source: NHS Eatwell Guide