Professor Toby Smith on 'Overweight schoolgirls more likely to see GP with knee or back pain' study

Professor Toby Smith, Clinical Trials Unit, the University of Warwick, said: "The findings from this study provide valuable, UK-based results to understand the real-world impact of obesity on bone, joint and muscle pain in children. This has previously had limited attention. The results shine a light of the impact on childhood obesity on GP practice. Living with back and knee pain can negatively affect education, social and physical activity pursuits. Supporting both children, families, schools and health services on dietary advice and physical activity engagement is crucial to make a positive change. Understanding how best to provide this is now needed to address this challenge, particularly given the demand this places on NHS GP and physiotherapy services."