There is a ‘strong link’ between children living with obesity and deprivation, new NHS figures have revealed.
The prevalence of reception-aged children living with obesity in England during 2021-22 was over twice as high in the most deprived areas (13.6%) than in the least deprived areas (6.2%), according to NHS Digital.
This difference is also seen in year 6 children – with 31.3% living with obesity in the most deprived areas compared with 13.5% in the least deprived areas.
The National Child Measurement Programme, England – 2021-22 report also found that the prevalence of reception-aged children living with severe obesity was over three times as high for children living in the most deprived areas (4.5%) than for children living in the least deprived areas (1.3%).
Similarly, the prevalence of year 6 children living with severe obesity was over four times as high for children living in the most deprived areas (9.4%) compared with those living in the least deprived areas (2.1%).
