Bolton children classed as obese rises

NHS Digital figures show 25.6 per cent of year 6 pupils measured in Bolton schools were obese in 2021-22, including 6.8 per cent who were severely obese, with a body mass index (BMI) in the top 0.4 per cent for a child's age and sex.

A further 15.2 per cent of children were overweight, meaning 40.8 per cent of Bolton's youngsters are unhealthily overweight when they finish primary school.

The figures show more older primary school pupils in the area are living with obesity than before the Covid-19 pandemic – 21.4 per cent of students measured were obese in 2019-20, the latest period with comparable local data.

The data comes from the Government's annual National Child Measurement Programme – part of its approach to tackling obesity – which records the height and weight of year 6 and reception-age children in state-maintained schools across England to monitor obesity trends.

It revealed that 31.3 per cent of 10 and 11-year-old children living in the most deprived areas of England were obese compared to 13.5 per cent of those living in the least deprived areas.

A spokesperson for Bolton Council said: “We want every child in Bolton to get the best possible start in life, including through good nutrition and having a healthy relationship with food.

“Childhood obesity and excess weight present significant health and wellbeing issues for children and their families.

“There may be implications for a child’s physical and mental health, which can continue into adulthood.

“Childhood obesity is a concern across the UK, and we have a number of initiatives in place locally to address this issue.

“Our school meal service offers affordable and healthy food to all pupils, menus adhere to the Governments’ School Food Standards, including following recommended portion sizes.

“Outside term time, the HAF scheme offers nutritious lunches to eligible children.

“The Let’s Keep Bolton Moving website contains lots of useful information about eating more healthily.”

Compared to other local neighbouring towns, Bury figures showed 24.4 per cent of Year Six pupils measured in Bury schools were obese in 2021-22, including 5.5 per cent who were severely obese, with a body mass index (BMI) in the top 0.4 per cent for a child's age and sex.

Whilst in Salford, figures show 27.7 per cent of Year Six pupils measured in Salford schools were obese in 2021-22, including 7.4 per cent who were severely obese, with a body mass index (BMI) in the top 0.4 per cent for a child's age and sex.

As the latest figures reveal inequality in obesity rates between pupils in deprived areas and their more affluent peers, the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health says it is "inherently wrong" that some youngsters are at higher risk of poor health before even leaving school.

Helen Stewart, officer for health improvement at the RCPCH, said the data "reaffirms the intrinsic link between obesity and poverty".

She added: "We now find ourselves in a situation where our most vulnerable children are twice as likely to become obese, and subsequently be at a higher risk of chronic illnesses, mental health issues and even a shorter life span.

"It’s inherently wrong that these children can be placed at such a disadvantage before even leaving primary school."

The College is calling on Health Secretary Steve Barclay to reinforce the Government's anti-obesity strategy, which was recently rumoured to be at risk of being scrapped.

Measures include scrapping junk food adverts online and on TV before 9pm, expanding weight management services available through the NHS and preventing shops from putting promotions on foods high in fat, sugar or salt.

Across England, obesity prevalence among both reception and year 6 pupils fell in 2021-22, to 10.1 per cent and 23.4 per cent respectively, following a rise the previous year.

But the obesity rate for both classes is still higher than before the pandemic as the crisis "exacerbated an already bad situation", according to the Obesity Health Alliance.

Director Katharine Jenner said: "The precise causes will still need to be analysed, but we do know that sales of unhealthy food products increased during the pandemic.

"The small drop, likely to be a consequence of children returning to school post-pandemic and having regular snack and mealtimes, shows improvements are possible.

"But they will not drop further without political will from the highest levels of government."

She added that implementing obesity policies will have a "disproportional benefit" to those on low incomes.

A government spokesperson did not comment on whether it would press ahead with the anti-obesity strategy, but said it is "committed to halving childhood obesity by 2030" through support schemes for vulnerable families, such as Healthy Start.

"Over £150 million is spent every year to the Healthy Food Schemes to promote a healthy diet for children," they added.