Levels of severe obesity in children aged 10 and 11 have reached the ‘highest point’ since records began, public health body warns.

New figures published today by Public Health England (PHE) have revealed that stark health inequalities continue to widen.

The prevalence of excess weight, obesity, overweight and severe obesity are higher in the most deprived areas compared to the least deprived.

This is happening at a faster rate in Year 6 than Reception, PHE found.

‘The rise in severe obesity and widening health inequalities highlight why bold measures are needed to tackle this threat to our children’s health,’ said Dr Alison Tedstone, chief nutritionist at PHE.

‘These trends are extremely worrying and have been decades in the making – reversing them will not happen overnight.’