A report revealed by the NHS Information Centre has given details of it’s results of the National Child Measurement Programme for 2022-10. The report revealed that over a third of school children are overweight when they leave primary school. The findings suggest that between starting school in reception class and leaving primary after year six, the number of children who are overweight doubles.
The previous government stated that child obesity levels were stabilising as a result of initiatives such as free fruit, healthy school meals and greater participation in Physical Education. However, these latest figures contradict the claims. It does prove however, that the government need to look again at the school meals policy and PE levels in order to reduce the number of children gaining weight to dangerous levels. Nine percent of children who are legible for the measurement programme were not allowed to take part as their parents didn’t want to have their child’s weight problem identified. This may mean that levels of overweight children are actually greater than thought.
According to experts, more needs to be done to combat weight problems while children are younger in order to prevent older children experiencing future problems with health. Dr Helen Walters of the UK Faculty of Public Health expressed the opinion that the weight problems of children will take decades to resolve, with much action needed. Safe areas for children to play, encouragement to walk or cycle to school safely, access to cheap fruit and vegetables as well as healthy school meals. Kid’s exercise programmes and access to health clubs will all play an active role in the health of our children.
