Government figures find one in three 11-year-olds ‘overweight or obese’

New data released from the National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP) has found that one in three ten to 11-year-olds is overweight or obese.

The study was one of the largest in the world and measured the weight and height of 80 per cent of children in reception (aged four to five) and year six (aged ten to 11) .

Figures also showed that almost a quarter of children in reception were either overweight or obese.

Boys were more likely to be overweight than girls and obesity levels were highest in London, according to the statistics.

The NCMP has been described as a “key tool” in the government’s obesity strategy, enabling ministers to track and analyse trends in childhood obesity.

Public health minister Dawn Primarolo said it was encouraging that over 80 per cent of children were being weighed and measured as it allowed the government to spot trends and take the right action in tackling obesity.

“We recently published the 372 million pound obesity strategy, which supports creation of a healthy society for children and adults in all fields – from early years, to schools and food, from sport and physical activity to planning, transport, the health service and other areas,” she illustrated.