Laura Sharman 30 October 2020

Childhood obesity rises again in past year

Children living in the most deprived areas are more than twice as likely to be obese as those in the least deprived, new figures have revealed.

The findings from the Government's National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP) for England show that more than a quarter (27.5%) of Year 6 children living in the most deprived areas were obese compared to 11.9% of these living in the least deprived. For Reception children, this figure was 12.3% compared to 6%.

Overall, childhood obesity has increased for both age groups in the past year, although boys have a higher obesity prevalence than girls.

The Local Government Association (LGA) called for urgent public health investment to help reverse this trend.

Chairman of the LGA’s Community Wellbeing Board, Cllr Ian Hudspeth, said: ‘Councils can help the Government meet its target of halving childhood obesity by 2030 with significant additional investment in public health and greater powers to tackle clustering of existing takeaways and to restrict junk food advertising.

’It is also vital that councils are able to decide how the hundreds of millions of pounds raised from the sugar levy is invested, to ensure that our children get the best start in life.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Part Time Finance Administrator

Essex County Council
Up to £25081.00 per annum + Pro Rata
Part Time Finance AdministratorPermanent, Part Time£25,081 per annum, full time equivalentLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Senior Customer Services Adviser (Housing Repairs

Mansfield District Council
£28,598 - £33,699 per annum
Mansfield is a town of towns at the centre of things in Nottinghamshire - a place of many strong connections Mansfield, Nottinghamshire
Recuriter: Mansfield District Council

No Wrong Door Deputy Manager

North Yorkshire Council
From £47,181 up to £51,356 per annum pro rata
We’re looking for a passionate, driven, and dynamic professional to join our management team within our innovative No Wrong Door (NWD) service. Scarborough, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council

Senior Resource Centre Worker

North Yorkshire Council
£34,434 - £38,220 per annum pro rata
You will work closely with families and other professionals to ensure that you have sound knowledge of the children you are caring for Morton on Swale, Northallerton
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council

Social Worker

North Yorkshire Council
£38,220 - £42,839 per annum, pro rata
Our Family Assessment and Support Teams you will work with a range of children and their families, carers and networks. Selby, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council
Linkedin Banner