Child obesity levels 'a complex problem'

NEW DATA REVEALS RISE IN THE RATES OF OVERWEIGHT CHILDREN IN MIDDLESBROUGH

- By DANIEL HODGSON

AT LEAST 40% of children are either overweight or obese by the time they reach year six in more than half of Middlesbrough's neighbourhoods.

The figures, shared with Middlesbrough councillors at a scrutiny panel meeting on Monday, September 8, show that there is an increase in the number of kids who are either overweight or obese as they progress from reception age to the end of their primary school life.

Every single electoral ward in Middlesbrough sees an increase in the obesity rate in the figures recorded at year six compared to when children begin life at primary school, although the levels of increase in different wards vary drastically. A meeting heard that the National Childhood Measurement Programme is a mandated function of public health, and that “obesity is more prevalent in more deprived wards”.

Speaking to councillors, Lindsay Cook, health improvement manager at Public Health South Tees, and Mark Fishpool, programme director at You've Got This, set out the problems and potential solutions, but highlighted how change could not simply happen overnight.

The most consistent ward is North Ormesby - at reception class, the ward claims the unwanted title in the whole of Middlesbrough, with 35.3% of its pupils recorded as either overweight or obese, the highest rate out of the town’s 20 wards.