Alarming new figures reveal that nearly a third of children in certain areas of England are classified as overweight or obese by the time they begin reception. In County Durham, this figure reached 30 percent for six-year-olds, a stark contrast to Wiltshire’s 15 percent. Nationally, almost a quarter of reception-aged children fall into this category, representing an increase from the previous year and a slight decrease from pre-pandemic levels. Specifically, one in ten children were identified as obese, marking the highest recorded figure outside of the pandemic period. Experts have labeled this data 'concerning,' emphasizing that it serves as a 'stark reminder that poor child health remains a serious issue across England.' Health Secretary Wes Streeting has pledged to 'act now,' asserting that the Government 'will not look away as kids get unhealthier.'

The issue of childhood obesity has been escalating for years, attributed to factors such as readily available fast food, increased screen time, and more sedentary lifestyles. The data is derived from the National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP), an annual initiative that measures the height and weight of over a million children. The latest statistics for 2024/25 show that 24.7 percent of children in reception were either obese or overweight. Analyzing severe obesity within this group, 2.7 percent of girls and 3.1 percent of boys in reception were severely obese, culminating in an overall rate of 2.9 percent, an increase from 2.6 percent in the preceding year.

Regional analysis further illustrates the disparities. Following County Durham, Darlington recorded 28.7 percent of children as obese or overweight, while Gateshead and Hartlepool had rates of 27.8 percent and 27.6 percent, respectively. In contrast, areas like Torbay (16.9 percent) and Swindon (17 percent) reported significantly lower figures. For children in Year 6 (aged 10 and 11), obesity prevalence was 22.2 percent, consistent with the 22.1 percent from the previous year. Additionally, 13.9 percent of Year 6 children were overweight, meaning over one in three children in this age group are either overweight or obese. The severe obesity rate for Year 6 stood at 5.6 percent overall, with 4.5 percent of girls and 6.6 percent of boys affected.

Professor Simon Kenny, NHS national clinical director for children and young people, expressed profound concern over these figures. He highlighted the devastating impact obesity can have on children’s health, increasing their risk of type 2 diabetes, cancer, mental health issues, and other illnesses that can lead to 'shorter and unhappier lives.' While the NHS is actively transforming the lives of thousands of children through specialist clinics, providing personalized support for weight loss and improved mental health, Professor Kenny stressed that 'prevention is key.' He called for 'continued joined-up action by industry and wider society' to improve the health of younger generations.

Katharine Jenner, executive director of the Obesity Health Alliance, reiterated that the data serves as a 'stark reminder that poor child health remains a serious issue across England,' particularly affecting children in the most deprived areas and those of black African heritage. She stated that 'every child deserves the chance to grow up healthy, regardless of their background' and noted that any recent small reductions in obesity among Reception-age children were 'short-lived,' with this year's figures among the highest since the program's inception. These trends, she argued, contradict the Government's goal of creating the healthiest generation of children.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting affirmed the government's commitment, stating, 'This government will not look away as kids get unhealthier and critics urge us to leave them behind.' He emphasized that 'obesity robs children of the best possible start in life, sets them up for a lifetime of health problems, and costs the NHS billions.' Streeting outlined the government’s plan to 'act now' through initiatives in schools, sports pitches, and online platforms to make healthy choices more accessible, support families, and reverse the trend of childhood obesity, framing it as 'prevention, not punishment.'

The NCMP, established in state-funded schools in England in 2006, was conceived as a cornerstone of the former Government’s strategy against childhood obesity. It measures children’s height and weight to calculate their Body Mass Index (BMI), which is then compared against a national scale to determine if a child is underweight, normal, overweight, or obese. However, some experts have raised concerns that the program might inadvertently cause more harm than good, potentially encouraging eating disorders in children and leading to instances where slim children are mistakenly labeled as fat by parents.

Globally, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported last year that 37 million children under the age of five are now overweight, an increase of four million since the turn of the century. The WHO warns that global obesity is 'moving in the wrong direction' with 'no immediate sign of reversion.' The economic repercussions are substantial, with obesity not only expanding waistlines but also healthcare costs. The NHS alone spends an estimated £6.1 billion annually on treating weight-related conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and various cancers, underscoring the urgent need for effective intervention.