Our Director of Research, Dr Michael Nelson, has given his response to new figures from the National Child Measurement Programme which were published this week.
The figures show that:
- More than a fifth (22.6%) of the children measured as they started school were either overweight or obese. In Year 6, this rate was one in three (33.4%)
- The percentage of obese children in Year 6 (19.0%) is over double that in Reception (9.4%)
- Levels of obesity were highest amongst children living in the London Strategic Health Authority area (11.1% and 21.9% for each age group respectively)
- Obesity was more prevalent among children attending schools in more deprived areas
Michael said: “These latest figures suggest that little headway is being made in tackling obesity in children. With obesity rates doubling between Reception (9.4%) and Year 6 (19%), it’s abundantly clear that far more needs to be done during the primary school years.
“Eating a school meal is a step in the right direction – the average primary school meal contains fewer calories than a packed lunch, much less sugar, fat and salt and 60% more fruit and veg – which is why healthy school meals based on the National School Food Standards, supported by cooking skills and good food education as part of the curriculum remain absolutely critical for all children. At the moment less than half of children eat school meals, although this is increasing year-on-year.
“The Government’s own target is to reduce childhood obesity to 2000 levels by 2020. The removal of any obligation for academies- to meet National School Food Standards by the Department for Education is a source of concern to many, along with the limited Call to Action on Obesity by the Department of Health. That’s why we continue to urge Government to make sure that all children are eating well at school.”
