More than one in 20 Harborough children in first year of primary school obese, according to new data

Figures from the National Child Measurement Programme showed that of the 915 Reception children in Harborough measured during 2024-2025, 65 or 7.1 per cent were found to be obese.

This was a drop on the 8.1 per cent in this category a year earlier.

The programme also recorded how 17.4 per cent of the area’s youngsters in Year Six, the final year of primary school, were obese in the same period.

This was up on the 15.8 per cent in this category the previous year.

Nationally, 10.5 per cent of children in Reception and 22.2 per cent of youngsters in Year Six were obese in 2024-2025.

Excluding the peak during the first year of the pandemic, the rate of obesity in the Reception year was the highest since records began in 2006-2007.

The report also found that children from black ethnic groups are more likely to be living with obesity, while children in the most deprived areas are more than twice as likely to be obese as kids in the least deprived parts of the country.

Professor Simon Kenny, the National Health Service’s national clinical director for children and young people, said: "These figures are extremely concerning - obesity can have a devastating impact on children's health, increasing their risk of Type 2 diabetes, cancer, mental health issues, and many other illnesses, which can sadly lead to shorter and unhappier lives.

"The NHS is transforming the lives of thousands of children and families impacted by severe weight issues through its specialist clinics, supporting them to lose weight, live heathier lives and improve their mental health through a personalised package of support.

"But prevention is key, and continued joined-up action by industry and wider society is essential if we want to improve the health of our younger generations."

Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting added: "This Government will not look away as kids get unhealthier and critics urge us to leave them behind.

"Obesity robs children of the best possible start in life, sets them up for a lifetime of health problems, and costs the NHS billions."

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