Children are at a danger of becoming overweight
Obesity levels in children aged 10-11 have risen since last year.
Figures released from the NHS today reveal the obesity levels in primary school children aged 10-11 have risen from 18.7% to 19%. Though this is only a slight increase, the figure is a 1.5% increase from data in 2006/2007.
The National Child Measurement Programme assess the weight and height of children entering primary school aged 4 and in their final year, aged 10 or 11.
Over a million pupils took part in the study.
Despite this increase, obesity levels in children aged 4-5 have fallen. Obesity levels amongst these children last year was 9.8% but has gone down to 9.4%, this new study has discovered.
A similiar trend is seen in those considered overweight.
Chief Executive of the NHS Information Centre Tim Straughan said: "More than one million children in England are measured as part of the National Child Measurement Programme, which shows today that while the proportion of four-to-five year olds who are obese has fallen, the opposite has happened among 10 and 11-year-olds."
He continued: "This means that while fewer than one in 10 children in Reception Year are obese; for children in their final year of primary school this prevalence is nearly one in every five."
Obesity levels were higher in children living in deprived areas and urban environments.
Alexandra Baracskai
Tagged in Obesity children's health