Childhood

Dr Margaret McCartney explores what we need from the NHS at different stages of our lives and what we can do to ease the pressures it's facing. Programme 2 focuses on 'Childhood'.

Rates of childhood obesity in Scotland are amongst the worst in the world. Whilst associated risks of diabetes and heart disease are well known, obesity is also the second highest preventable cause of cancer. Dr Margaret McCartney explores what can be done at a local and national level. She visits a community centre in Bridgeton where the Peek Project are advocating healthy outside play. While the children play, the parents are supported in cooking a healthy meal which they all enjoy together at the end of the day.

She also hears a more positive tale about Scotland's teeth. Initiatives like Childsmile have seen improvements in tooth decay, though there's still a way to go. She visits Dr Nicola Innes at the dental hospital in Dundee to hear about some of the latest treatments. Also, with dental extractions still the number one reason that children receive a general anaesthetic in hospital, she asks what more can be done.