New data identifies link between children living with obesity and deprivation

The prevalence of reception-aged children living with obesity in England is more than twice as high in the most deprived areas compared to more affluent neighbourhoods.

This difference is also seen in year six children, with 31.3 per cent living with obesity in the most deprived areas compared to 13.5 per cent in richer areas.

Published by NHS Digital, the National Child Measurement Programme, England – 2021-22 report found that the prevalence of reception-aged children living with severe obesity was more than three times as high for children living in the most deprived areas (4.5 per cent) than for children living in the least deprived areas (1.3 per cent).

Similarly, the prevalence of year six children living with severe obesity was more than four times as high for children living in the most deprived areas (9.4 per cent) compared to those living in the least deprived areas (2.1 per cent).

The National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP) – overseen by the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities and analysed and reported by NHS Digital – measures the height and weight of children in England annually.

It provides data on the number of children in reception and year six who are underweight, healthy weight, overweight, living with obesity or living with severe obesity.

The prevalence of children living with obesity in 2021-22 was highest in the North East , West Midlands and London. It was lowest in the South East, South West and East of England.

The prevalence of children living with obesity was highest in urban areas for both age groups: 10.4 per cent in reception and 24.4 per cent in year six.