Almost a quarter of P1 children classed as overweight or obese

Almost a quarter of children starting school in Scotland are at risk of being overweight or obese, according to official statistics described as “scandalous” by health campaigners.

Figures show that 22.9 per cent of P1 pupils fell into this bracket in 2016-17, a rise of 0.8 per cent on the previous year and a new record high.

Children from the poorest communities are even more likely to begin school at risk of weighing too much, with 26.4 per cent falling into this category.

The figures from NHS statistics body ISD Scotland suggest that efforts to tackle childhood obesity are failing, carrying a potentially severe knock-on effect for the health service.

Across the country 76.1 per cent of P1 pupils were assessed as being at a healthy body weight, but this represented a 1 per cent fall on 2007-8.

Over the same period, the number of pupils at risk of being overweight or obese has also risen, with the report warning that this could lead to health problems in later life.

Professor Linda Bauld of Cancerresearchuksaidobesity was linked to 13 types of the disease and that an obese child was five times more likely to be obese in adulthood.

“It’s scandalous we’re living in a country where so many very young children are becoming overweight and obese,” she added.

“We know it’s normal for children in Scotland to consume chocolate, fizzy drinks and crisps every day, and tempting supermarket bulkbuy deals on junk food are at the heart of this poor diet.”

Scottish Liberal Democrat health spokesman Alex Cole-hamilton said the figures should “sound an alarm bell around the changing nature of childhood health” in Scotland.

“The national obesity epidemic already puts a huge strain on our NHS,” Mr Colehamilton said.

“Unless we take action now we are sitting on obesity time bomb that will only increase pressure on services.”

His Conservative counterpart, Miles Briggs, said: “Obesity is fast-becoming Scotland’s biggest public health crisis, and these statistics reinforce that.”

Public health minister Aileencampbellsaidthescottish Government was committed to improving the “wellbeing and weight” of children and adults through its obesity strategy.

Ministers want to ban supermarkets from using buyone-get-one-free deals to tempt shoppers into buying fatty, sugary or salty foods such as pizzas, burgers and sweets.

Under plans announced in October, they are also considering whether to force restaurants, pubs and takeaways to cut the size of the portions they serve customers.

“We’re supporting children to eat a healthy balanced diet throughout their school day with the introduction of free school meals for P1-3,” Ms Campbell added.

“In addition to this, 98 per cent of schools are now delivering at least two hours of PE every week.”