New government figures have revealed a concerning rise in childhood obesity rates across England, with one in ten children in their first year of primary school (Reception) now classified as obese. This figure, standing at 10.5 per cent in 2024/25, marks the highest prevalence recorded for Reception year since data collection began in 2006/07, excluding the pandemic peak. This is an increase from 9.6 per cent in the previous year (2023/24). Additionally, 13 per cent of Reception children are overweight, meaning nearly one in four children aged four and five are either overweight or obese.

The National Child Measurement Programme data also highlighted that over a fifth of children in Year 6 (the last year of primary school, aged 10 and 11) were obese, with a prevalence of 22.2 per cent, similar to the 22.1 per cent recorded last year. Another 13.9 per cent of Year 6 children are overweight, bringing the total of overweight or obese children in this age group to more than one in three. Boys are consistently more likely to be overweight than girls across both age groups. Overall, 1.1 million children were measured, with 75.4 per cent in Reception and 62.2 per cent in Year 6 maintaining a healthy weight.

Severe obesity rates are also a growing concern. In Reception, 2.9 per cent of all children were severely obese (2.7 per cent of girls and 3.1 per cent of boys), an increase from 2.6 per cent the prior year. For Year 6, 5.6 per cent of all children were severely obese (4.5 per cent of girls and 6.6 per cent of boys), which is similar to the 5.5 per cent seen previously. These figures underscore the urgent need for intervention to curb the rising trend.

Significant disparities persist across different demographics. The report noted that children from Black ethnic groups are more prone to obesity, while those from Indian ethnic groups are more likely to be underweight. Furthermore, the data revealed that children living in the most deprived areas of England are disproportionately affected, with obesity rates significantly higher compared to those in more affluent areas. This highlights the persistent link between socio-economic disadvantage and childhood obesity, underscoring the need for targeted public health interventions that address both nutritional education and access to healthy food and physical activity opportunities in disadvantaged communities.

Recent analysis shows the deprivation gap in obesity is widening sharply. According to the National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP) data for the 2022‑23 school year, children in Year 6 living in the most deprived areas of England had an obesity prevalence of 30.2%, compared with 13.1% in the least deprived areas. For Reception children in the most deprived areas, the prevalence of obesity was 12.4%, whereas it was just 5.8% for those in the least deprived areas.

Ethnic disparities in childhood obesity are also pronounced and persist even after adjusting for socioeconomic status. A study of NCMP data found that, for both Reception and Year 6 pupils, children from Black ethnic groups had significantly higher rates of overweight/obesity and severe obesity than White British peers and these disparities grew in primary years for most ethnic groups. This means interventions must be culturally appropriate as well as socio‑economically targeted.

Looking ahead, projections indicate the challenge is mounting. A report on Public Health estimates that by 2035, children aged 10–11 in nine English local authority areas could see more than half of the cohort classified as overweight or obese. These projections reinforce the argument for bold preventive action now, with targeted support in the most affected regions, strict regulation of high‑sugar and ultra‑processed foods, and increased access to physical activity for children in deprived communities.