England's childhood obesity crisis in numbers as 'deprivation gap' widens

Obesity among children in England is increasing, according to new government data.

Around 10.7 per cent of children in the Reception year of primary school – ages four and five – are obese, while 22.8 per cent of those in Year 6 – ages 10 to 11 – are too.

When the pandemic obesity peak is disregarded, the 2025-2026 data means that obesity in Reception is at its highest-ever level since records began.

For children in Year 6, obesity is higher than the previous year, when it stood at 22.2 per cent, and higher than pre-pandemic levels.

Overall, 1.1 million children were measured in state schools in England as part of the National Child Measurement Programme, which records height and weight to help decide on public health plans and which regions need the most support.

The data also showed a gender divide, with girls in primary school more likely than boys to be a healthy weight.

Meanwhile, boys are more likely to be obese and severely obese, with 6.9 per cent severely obese in Year 6 compared to 4.8 per cent of girls.

Furthermore, obesity in the most deprived regions is more than double the most affluent areas both for Reception (14.2 per cent compared to 6.9 per cent) and Year 6 (30.3 per cent compared to 13.9 per cent).

Experts said the “deprivation gap” has increased over time.

Black children and Year 6 children from Bangladeshi ethnic backgrounds tend to have higher obesity levels, while Reception and Year 6 children from the Indian ethnic group were most likely to be underweight, the data further showed.

Anna Taylor, executive director of the Food Foundation charity, said, “Today’s data shows worsening childhood obesity levels and that the gulf in children’s health between those living in deprived versus wealthy areas has widened.

“We keep measuring children but failing to act on what we find.

“Nearly 500 days ago the Government committed to introduce mandatory reporting by large food businesses on the healthiness of their food sales with a commitment to a moonshot to end obesity.

“We’re still waiting for the consultation while the challenge of feeding children well has only got harder.

“Every day of delay carries cost in the communities who can afford it least – today around 93 children will have rotten teeth removed in hospital at a cost of £140,000. Delay is the most expensive policy we have.”