A major new report has warned of the risk of ‘failing a generation’ unless urgent action is taken to improve children’s health.

The largest ever compilation of data on the health of young people across the UK, published by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH), has found the UK is “stuck or going backwards” on a range of measures.

In Scotland, there is a mixed picture ­- with increasing child poverty, rising obesity and falling immunisation rates.

However the State of Child Health 2020 highlights improvements have been made in reducing infant deaths, increasing breastfeeding and reducing youth violence.

Professor Steve Turner, RCPCH officer for Scotland, said there had been a number of “welcome moves” in Scotland since the last time the report was published in 2017, including strategies on healthy weight and mental health and a ban on smacking.

He added: “However, our 2020 report highlights some painful facts which we cannot ignore.  One in four of our children are growing up in poverty – this is unacceptable in a county like ours.

“Obesity rates are also on the rise.  Urgent and bold action at national and local government levels will be required to meet the 2030 targets.

“Today’s children will soon be tomorrow’s parents, patients, leaders and workers who drive the Scottish economy.  We need to work together to create an environment that will produce children who are the healthiest, mentally and physically, that they can be.”

He called for all parties to make children’s health a manifesto priority ahead of the Holyrood elections in 2021, with a focus on ending child poverty and health inequalities, prioritising public health prevention and early intervention, and improving services.

The report highlights increasing rates of child poverty in Scotland – the percentage of children aged 0-18 living in relative poverty after housing costs has risen from 22% in the 2017 report to 24%.

Obesity among four to five-year-olds has increased from 21.8% to 22.4%, while MMR immunisation rates have dropped from 93.4% to 91.2%.

Infant mortality has dropped from 3.6 per 1000 live births to 3.2 – but death rates in children up to the age of 19 have increased.

Scotland is now leading the way in the UK when it comes to breastfeeding at 6-8 weeks, with an increase from 27.2% to 30.7%.

Youth violence is decreasing, with recorded injuries by a sharp object among 15-19 year olds dropping from 40.7 to 38.5 per 100,000.

Report co-author Dr Ronny Cheung, clinical lead for RCPCH, said the report showed “troubling signs” for children and young people across the UK.

“On a whole range of measures the UK is stuck or in danger of going backwards.

“The harsh reality is that in terms of health and wellbeing, children born in the UK are often worse off than those born in other comparably wealthy countries.

“This is especially true if you come from a less well-off background.”