Growing problem of obesity among primary students

One in four children in Year R overweight

Nearly a quarter of all reception age children in Kent are either overweight or obese, according to latest NHS figures.

The study was undertaken as part of the Government’s National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP).

The report, published by NHS England, examined youngsters in reception aged four and five during the 2018-19 school year. Children with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of between 85 and 100 were classified as ‘overweight and obese’.

Across the whole of Kent, nearly one in four Year R pupils fell into this category an increase from one in five the previous year.

Thanet recorded the highest proportion (29%), followed by Dover (28.5%) and Gravesham (28.1%). In west Kent, Maidstone topped the table, with nearly one in four reception year students overweight or obese - up from 17% the previous year.

The proportion was 23.3% in Tonbridge and Malling and 20.5% in Tunbridge Wells - up from 17% and 16.3% respectively.

The study also looked at the rate of obesity among pupils aged 10 and 11.

It found nearly one in three Year 6 pupils were overweight or obese (32.2%), a slight decline on the previous year (33.2%). Of these, Dartford recorded the highest proportion (38.3%). Maidstone was mid-table with 31.1%, down marginally on last year. The lowest levels were observed in Tunbridge Wells, where one in four pupils (26.2%) were obese or overweight, Sevenoaks (27.6%) and Tonbridge and Malling (28.9%).

The study also found there

‘Obesity is more common for children living in the most deprived areas’

was a higher prevalence of obesity in Year 6 boys compared to girls and that the issue was more common in children living in the most deprived areas. Last April, in a bid to help tackle the rise in obesity, the Government introduced a sugar tax, applying an extra levy on soft drinks with a sugar content of more than 5g per 100ml, such as Coke, Red Bull and Dr Pepper.