By Islam El-Sakka
New government data reveals childhood obesity in England has reached record levels, with the gap between deprived and affluent areas widening significantly.
Rising Obesity Rates
According to the National Child Measurement Programme, which measured 1.1 million children in state schools, 10.7 per cent of Reception-year children aged four to five are obese, while 22.8 per cent of Year 6 children aged 10 to 11 are obese. Excluding the pandemic peak, Reception obesity is at its highest level since records began, and Year 6 obesity has risen from 22.2 per cent the previous year and remains above pre-pandemic levels.
Gender and Ethnic Disparities
The data shows a gender divide: girls in primary school are more likely than boys to be a healthy weight, while boys are more likely to be obese and severely obese. In Year 6, 6.9 per cent of boys are severely obese compared to 4.8 per cent of girls. Ethnic disparities also appear, with Black children and Year 6 children from Bangladeshi backgrounds showing higher obesity levels, while children from Indian ethnic groups are most likely to be underweight.
Deprivation Gap Widens
Obesity in the most deprived regions is more than double that in the most affluent areas for both age groups. In Reception, 14.2 per cent of children in deprived areas are obese versus 6.9 per cent in affluent areas; in Year 6, the figures are 30.3 per cent versus 13.9 per cent. Experts say this deprivation gap has increased over time.
Calls for Government Action
Anna Taylor, executive director of the Food Foundation charity, said the data shows worsening childhood obesity and a widening health gulf between deprived and wealthy areas. She noted that nearly 500 days ago the government committed to mandatory reporting by large food businesses on the healthiness of their sales, but the consultation has not yet begun. Taylor warned that every day of delay costs communities, citing that around 93 children have rotten teeth removed in hospital daily at a cost of £140,000.
