Latest Local Childhood Obesity Figures

Survey finds an increase in number of ‘overweight’ children

Each year, school children have their height and weight measured to help monitor and compare across the country and over a period of time.

NHS Hounslow measured 94 per cent of children in the school years of reception (aged four and five) and year 6 (aged ten and 11) to find our how many are ‘underweight’, ‘healthy weight’, ‘overweight’ and ‘very overweight’.

The results of this survey found, when compared with 2007-08

• small decrease in the number of children described as ‘healthy weight’ for both reception (now 72.8 per cent, from 73.3 per cent) and year 6 (now 59.7 per cent, from 60.9 per cent)
• increase in the number of ‘overweight’ children for both reception (now 13.1 per cent, from 11.1 per cent)and year 6 (now 15.4 per cent, from 14.53 per cent)
• a decrease number of ‘underweight’ children both reception (now 2 per cent, down from 2.56 per cent) and year 6 (now 1.5 per cent, from 1.91 per cent)

NHS Hounslow and London Borough of Hounslow’s, Joint Director of Public Health Dr Mike Robinson said, “For the first time, we sent a feedback letter to inform parents and carers on their child’s weight status for all children are weighed and measured in 2009/2010.

"It is important for parents to be aware of their child’s weight status and where necessary to help parents to make healthier lifestyle choices such as eating more healthily and increasing physical activity in their overall family life.”

He added “I encourage parents who are worried about their child’s weight to think about the support programmes like Alive ‘n’ Kicking.”

Help available for kids and families in Hounslow includes:

• Alive 'n' Kicking is a free 12–week programme designed to motivate and educate families who want to eat healthily and enjoy more active lifestyles. It is brought to you by NHS Hounslow who are working closely with London Borough of Hounslow to tackle child obesity
• Twenty-two new playgrounds to open in Hounslow to encourage all children to achieve 60 active minutes of physical activity per week
• The Change4Life programme is a key initiative in changing how people think about the lifestyles of both themselves and their families. It gives advice on changing meals and snacks for healthier alternatives and how you can get involved in a wide range of activities to get you and your family more active.

More information is on NHS Hounslow’s website www.hounslowpct.nhs.uk

December 16, 2009