Record number of Year Six children in England classed as “severely obese”
Date published: 12 October 2018
The rate of severe obesity among Year 6 children has increased to its highest rate ever
Severe obesity in Year 6 children in the North West is higher than the national figure, according to latest annual findings of the National Child Measurement Programme.
The NHS figures, based on weighing and measuring more than a million schoolchildren, are the definitive measure of children’s weight in England, showing that nationally, the rate of severe obesity among Year 6 children (aged 10-11 years) has increased by more than a third since 2006/7 to 4.2%, its highest rate ever - one in 25 children.
In the North West this figure is higher than the national figure at 4.5%.
The data also shows stubborn inequalities persist, with obesity in the poorest areas more than double that of the richest areas nationally. In the most deprived areas, 12.8% of children in Reception Year and 26.8% in Year 6 are obese, compared to 5.7% and 11.7% respectively in the least deprived.
This highlights the importance of tackling childhood obesity – children with excess weight are more likely to suffer from poor self-esteem, bullying and stigma in childhood. They are also more likely to be overweight or obese as adults, increasing their risk of preventable illnesses including heart disease, type 2 diabetes and some cancers.
Across England, one in 10 children (9.5%) are already classed as obese by the time they enter reception, rising to one in five (20.1%) by the time children leave primary school.
However, 28 schools across the Rochdale borough have taken big strides towards improving their pupils’ health by doing a daily mile of walking, jogging or running.
The Daily Mile is a simple, free and fun initiative where children and adults run, jog or walk for fifteen minutes every day. In this time, most people will average a mile or more.
Andrea Fallon, director of public health at Rochdale Borough Council, said: “Tackling childhood obesity is a priority for the council. It is a highly complex issue and we recognise how important it is to work with parents and school to tackle it.
“We are working to make it easier for families to make healthy choices and ask that everyone considers their part in helping children across the borough to grow up into fit and healthy adults.”
Steve Morton, Health & Well-Being Manager for Public Health England North West, said: “These continuing high rates of childhood obesity, combined with widening health inequalities, highlight why government is taking bold steps to tackle this crisis.
“This threat to our children’s health has been decades in the making – we’re moving in the right direction but reversing it will not happen overnight.”
This year all Rochdale borough reception children will be given a Healthy Heroes pack with information to help families to live healthier lives; this includes discounts for parents and engaging goodies for children.
If you want to improve your family’s health and wellbeing or you’re concerned about your child’s weight then sign up to the Energy Club.
Energy Club is a free, fun course made up of interactive sessions for parents/carers and children that allows the whole family to learn and have fun together.
For more information contact the Healthy Weight Team on 01706 901822 or email leighanne.carnall@link4life.org.
Any schools or nurseries that would like help with healthy initiatives email healthy.heroes@rochdale.gov.uk
Read more:
Obese children in Rochdale highest since records began
Childhood obesity: are we really doing enough for our children’s health?
Local hospitals made over £175,000 profit from vending machines in just 12 months
Rochdale is one of England’s fast food hotspots
Tackling childhood obesity campaign: Council asked what is being done about vending machines?
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