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One in three children is too fat by the age of 11
Nearly a third of children are officially overweight or obese by the time they reach secondary school, figures revealed on Friday.
- By Sophie Goodchild
- Published: 00:20 December 13, 2008
London: Nearly a third of children are officially overweight or obese by the time they reach secondary school, figures revealed on Friday.
A major study into childhood obesity reveals that government attempts to halt the epidemic have failed.
The report into the height and weight of nearly a million children also shows that a quarter of them started primary school with a weight problem.
Obesity rates among 10- and 11-year olds in London are the worst in the country - more than a third are obese or overweight.
Health expert Tam Fry of the Child Growth Foundation yesterday warned that ministers must take more drastic action to tackle the problem.
'Horrifying'
He said: "These figures show there has been no improvement in levels of obesity among children. The real worry is the fact that obesity among Year 6 children is still double the level for reception pupils."
Liberal Democrat health spokesman Norman Lamb said it was "horrifying" that one in three children was overweight or obese.
He added: "The costs and impact of obesity, both for individuals and the health service, are enormous. The NHS ultimately faces bankruptcy if we fail on this."
Yesterday's findings from the NHS Information Centre show there has been no improvement in obesity rates since the previous survey last year.
The figures are based on information provided by primary care trusts and schools as part of the National Child Measurement Programme, which weighs children in reception class (aged four or five) and again in Year 6 (aged 10 or 11).
NHS Information Centre chief executive Tim Straughan said: "Obesity is one of the biggest threats to the health of our nation."
- Evening Standard
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