According to new data published by the PHE, the rate of obesity among year 6 children (aged 10 to 11) has increased by more than a third since 2006 to 2007 to 4.2%, its highest rate ever. The data also shows inequalities, with obesity in the poorest areas more than double that of the richest areas.
This highlights the importance of the government’s steps to tackle childhood obesity. The most important aspects of these are overseen by PHE, including its challenge to the food industry to reduce 20% of sugar and calories in everyday foods consumed regularly by children.