The number of obese children treated for a double hepatic steatosis in five years

The number of obese children treated in the hospital for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease has doubled in just five years.

The condition develops when excess fat is stored in the liver and is linked to obesity and diabetes.

A total of 195 children were hospitalized in England in 2017/2018, according to NHS Digital figures, compared with 96 in 2013/14.

The disease can cause severe liver damage, including life-threatening cirrhosis, if patients do not change their health.

Jane DeVille-Almond of the British Obesity Society said, "This condition is reversible with lifestyle changes.

"It's simple: stop feeding our kids with garbage and soft drinks and get them moving more."

Tam Fry, of the National Forum on Obesity, said, "Fatty liver disease has always been considered an adult problem, but we now see a considerable number in children.

"Even worse, there are babies born with this because of their mother's totally inappropriate diet during pregnancy. It is shameful.

"The result is not only more complications, but also more caesareans, because the babies are so big that they can not deliver in a normal way."

He said schools should teach girls the importance of being fit for pregnancy.

And he hailed a program in Leeds, which this week became the first UK city to reverse its childhood obesity rate.

As part of this program launched about ten years ago, staff work with preschool children to promote healthy lifestyles.

Parenting Skills clbades encourage healthy snacks, family meals and nutritious meal preparation from scratch.

There was also talk of making children active through dance.

Mr. Fry said, "This program needs to be rolled out across the country. It may not be cheap, but it will save the NHS billions of pounds down the line. "

NHS England said: "The long-term plan of the NHS plays its role [in tackling childhood obesity] but other industries must also use to prevent damage to young people. "