Alarming new statistics from the NHS have revealed that obesity rates among children aged just four and five have climbed to their highest level outside of the pandemic period, signalling a growing public health crisis.
The data shows that in the 2023-24 academic year, a concerning 10.2% of children in Reception year were classified as obese. When combined with those categorised as overweight, the figure rises to nearly a quarter of all children in this age group.
Stark Divide Between Rich and Poor Areas
The figures expose a troubling health inequality across England. Children living in the most deprived communities are more than twice as likely to be obese compared to their peers in wealthier areas.
In the poorest neighbourhoods, 13.7% of four and five-year-olds are obese, while in the most affluent areas, the rate stands at just 6.1%.
Regional Variations Paint Worrying Picture
The obesity epidemic shows significant regional variation, with the North East recording the highest rates at 11.7% of Reception-age children. London follows closely behind at 11.4%, while the South West reports the lowest prevalence at 8.3%.
These statistics come from the National Child Measurement Programme, which tracks the height and weight of approximately one million children in England annually.
Experts Sound the Alarm
Health leaders have described the figures as "deeply concerning" and evidence that the government's anti-obesity strategy is failing the youngest members of society.
The data suggests that while there was some improvement in child obesity rates during the pandemic years, this progress has now reversed, with rates returning to and in some cases exceeding pre-2020 levels.
Public health experts are calling for urgent action to address the underlying causes, including the availability of unhealthy food, food poverty, and reduced opportunities for physical activity in certain communities.
