The London borough with the worst childhood obesity rate in the country

Children's obesity rates across the country rose during the pandemic with the highest rate recorded in one London borough, according to figures from NHS Digital. Across London, some 24.8 per cent of Year 6 children were measured as obese or severely obese – up from 23.7 per cent in 2019-20.

In 2022-23, 22.7 per cent of Year 6 pupils were obese or severely obese up from 21 per cent in 2019-20, before the pandemic. In Barking and Dagenham, some 31.7 per cent of Year 6 children were measured as obese or severely obese up from 28.4 per cent in 2019-20, and the highest rate in the country.

On the opposite end of the scale, Richmond had a childhood obesity rate of only 12 per cent - the lowest in England. Just 21 of 138 areas with comparable data saw a fall in the proportion of obese or severely obese children.

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Dr Mike McKean, vice president for policy at the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, said overweight children which accounts for two in five primary school leavers have a higher risk of chronic illnesses, mental health issues, and lower life expectancy.

The Government aims to cut childhood obesity rates in half by 2030, but Dr McKean said the root cause is poverty and deprivation, which "are robbing our children of a healthy adulthood before they even start school".

The data also shows children living in the most deprived areas were more than twice as likely to be obese as those living in the most affluent.

A DHSC spokesperson said: "We face a childhood obesity crisis, which is setting up children for an unhealthy life and putting greater pressures on the NHS. We will tackle these issues head on, including by banning junk food adverts targeted at children."

An NHS spokesperson said Covid-19 has had a "significant impact" on children's mental health. They said the NHS provides mental health support for more children and young people than ever before, and has rolled out hundreds of mental health teams in schools.

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