Record high for severely obese 10-11 year olds
The rate of severe obesity among year 6 children (aged 10 to 11) has increased by more than a third since 2006 to 2007 to 4.2 per cent, its highest rate ever.
Results from the latest national child measurement programme (NCMP), overseen by Public Health England (PHE), also shows obesity in the poorest areas are more than double that of the richest areas.
The NCMP found that the proportion of overweight and obese children in reception year (aged 4 to 5) has remained stable at 22.4% (equal to 136,586 children).
For year 6 children, it is 34.3% (equal to 197,888 children) compared to 31.6% in 2016 to 2017.
In the most deprived areas, 12.8% of children in reception year are obese, compared to 5.7% in the least deprived areas.
In year 6 it is 26.8% in the most deprived areas, compared to 11.7% in the least deprived areas.
In both age groups, severe obesity is 4 times higher in deprived areas.
This week, PHE met with major trade bodies, retailers, manufacturers, out of home sector businesses – including takeaways, cafes and pubs – and public health NGOs, to discuss the next phase of the calorie reduction programme.
The second chapter of the government’s childhood obesity plan was published in June 2018 and includes mandatory calorie labelling in the out of home sector, a restriction on price promotions on unhealthy foods and a ban on the sale of energy drinks to children.
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