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| Obesity among children starting primary school continues to rise | Obesity among children starting primary school continues to rise |
| (3 months later) | |
| Health campaigners call for restrictions on junk food marketing as NHS figures show higher levels of obesity in deprived areas | |
| Press Association | |
| Thu 19 Oct 2017 11.00 BST | |
| Last modified on Thu 19 Oct 2017 16.26 BST | |
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| Obesity among children starting their first year of primary school has risen for the second year in a row. | Obesity among children starting their first year of primary school has risen for the second year in a row. |
| Figures from NHS Digital show 9.6% of children in reception classes in 2016-17 are obese, compared with 9.3% the year before. | Figures from NHS Digital show 9.6% of children in reception classes in 2016-17 are obese, compared with 9.3% the year before. |
| One-fifth of year 6 children (aged 10-11) are obese, the same as in 2015-16. The statistics for more than 1 million pupils across England show 32.4% of girls and 36.1% of boys in the final primary school year are overweight or obese, while the figures for reception are 22.1% and 23.1% respectively. | One-fifth of year 6 children (aged 10-11) are obese, the same as in 2015-16. The statistics for more than 1 million pupils across England show 32.4% of girls and 36.1% of boys in the final primary school year are overweight or obese, while the figures for reception are 22.1% and 23.1% respectively. |
| More than twice as many children in deprived areas are obese as in affluent areas. | More than twice as many children in deprived areas are obese as in affluent areas. |
| In Kingston upon Thames, south-west London, 4.8% of children in reception are obese, compared with 13.5% in Wolverhampton. For year 6 pupils, 11.3% in Rutland, east Midlands, are obese, compared with 29.2% in Barking and Dagenham, east London. | In Kingston upon Thames, south-west London, 4.8% of children in reception are obese, compared with 13.5% in Wolverhampton. For year 6 pupils, 11.3% in Rutland, east Midlands, are obese, compared with 29.2% in Barking and Dagenham, east London. |
| Dr Alison Tedstone, the chief nutritionist at Public Health England, said: “Children deserve a healthy future and these figures are a reminder that addressing childhood obesity requires urgent action. | Dr Alison Tedstone, the chief nutritionist at Public Health England, said: “Children deserve a healthy future and these figures are a reminder that addressing childhood obesity requires urgent action. |
| “There is no single solution to reverse what’s been decades in the making. We need sustained actions to tackle poor diets and excess calorie intakes. | “There is no single solution to reverse what’s been decades in the making. We need sustained actions to tackle poor diets and excess calorie intakes. |
| “We’re working with industry to make food healthier, we’ve produced guidance for councils on planning healthier towns, and we’ve delivered campaigns encouraging people to choose healthier food and lead healthier lives.” | “We’re working with industry to make food healthier, we’ve produced guidance for councils on planning healthier towns, and we’ve delivered campaigns encouraging people to choose healthier food and lead healthier lives.” |
| Caroline Cerny, who leads the Obesity Health Alliance, a coalition of more than 40 organisations, said: “Each year, the childhood obesity statistics tell the same devastating story. | Caroline Cerny, who leads the Obesity Health Alliance, a coalition of more than 40 organisations, said: “Each year, the childhood obesity statistics tell the same devastating story. |
| “Obesity continues to rise and it’s the children from the most deprived backgrounds who have the odds stacked against them. | “Obesity continues to rise and it’s the children from the most deprived backgrounds who have the odds stacked against them. |
| “The government says that tackling obesity is a priority. The soft drinks levy and the sugar reduction programme are both positive steps. But a real commitment to tackling obesity means also getting to grips with the environment in which our children grow up. | “The government says that tackling obesity is a priority. The soft drinks levy and the sugar reduction programme are both positive steps. But a real commitment to tackling obesity means also getting to grips with the environment in which our children grow up. |
| “Adverts for unhealthy foods have a significant impact on consumption habits, and we want to see immediate action to restrict junk food marketing at children, both online and on TV before the 9pm watershed.” | “Adverts for unhealthy foods have a significant impact on consumption habits, and we want to see immediate action to restrict junk food marketing at children, both online and on TV before the 9pm watershed.” |
| Obesity | |
| Children | |
| Health | |
| NHS | |
| news | |
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