Childhood

Obesity and the number of overweight primary school-aged children have increased dramatically in recent years. The Government’s National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP), England, 2021/22 school year report covers children in Reception classes (aged four to five years) and Year 6 (aged 10-11 years) in mainstream state-maintained schools in England. The results showed that boys have a higher prevalence of living with obesity than girls for both age groups, with 10.3 per cent of boys living with obesity, compared with 9.9 per cent of girls in Reception, and 26.4 per cent of boys living with obesity, compared with 20.4 per cent of girls in Year 6.¹

To maintain a healthy weight, children should eat a healthy, varied diet, where possible limiting and avoiding ultra-processed foods that are low in nutrients and high in sugars and unhealthy fats.