One in three local primary school leavers overweight or obese

Over a third of children leaving primary school are obese or overweight

Over one in three of children in Year 6 in the borough is obese or overweight, new figures have revealed. The NHS Digital figures show a shocking 35.7% tipped the scales as overweight or obese, last year.

The number of primary school leavers obese (dangerously fat) is more than one in five, at 21.1%.

Data from the National Child Measurement Programme for England shows obesity nationally has risen in the last year, even for the youngest children being measured, aged four.

Professor Kevin Fenton, from Public Health England, said: “It is deeply worrying that more children are leaving primary school overweight or obese than ever before and levels are increasing.”

Speaking at the recent inaugural Childhood Obesity Summit, Chief Medical Officer for England Dame Sally Davies urged parents to stop their children snacking, and return to three square meals a day.