SUPPORT for children with obesity is more important than ever following the Covid-19 pandemic and current cost-of-living crisis. 

New figures from NHS Digital shows a fifth of children in Buckinghamshire are finishing primary school obese and the rate has risen compared to pre-pandemic levels.

As the latest figures reveal inequality in obesity rates between pupils in deprived areas and their more affluent peers, the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health says it is "inherently wrong" that some youngsters are at higher risk of poor health before even leaving school.

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According to NHS Digital, figures show 18.1 per cent of Year 6 pupils measured in Buckinghamshire schools were obese in 2021-22, including 3.1 per cent who were severely obese, with a body mass index (BMI) in the top 0.4 per cent for a child's age and sex.

A further 13.6 per cent of children were overweight, meaning 31.6 per cent of Buckinghamshire's youngsters are unhealthily overweight when they finish primary school.

The figures show more older primary school pupils in the area are living with obesity than before the coronavirus pandemic – 16.8 per cent of students measured were obese in 2019-20, the latest period with comparable local data.

The data comes from the Government's annual National Child Measurement Programme – part of its approach to tackling obesity – which records the height and weight of year 6 and reception-age children in state-maintained schools across England to monitor obesity trends.

The Free Press asked Buckinghamshire Council what is being done to tackle obesity among children in the borough. 

The council's public health expert Zahir Mohammed explained how the pandemic and Covid lockdowns has contributed to the rise in obesity.

He said: “Although childhood obesity levels are high across the whole country, the levels in Buckinghamshire are slightly lower than the South East and National averages. It’s still the case however, that the number of Year 6 children identified as overweight or obese has increased.

"The pandemic and resulting lockdowns along with increased food insecurity have all been factors in this increase.

“To address this, alongside other organisations such as the NHS and community organisations, we have set up a long-term, sustainable, whole system approach to tackle obesity across all-ages, that will continue to develop and evolve over time. 

"Obesity is a complex problem with multiple causes, and we know that there is no one single solution, which is why we are offering a variety of support and tools for children and their families to use."

As a way to tackle obesity, families can take part in community cooking courses to learn how to prepare healthy low-cost meals or grow their own fresh fruit an vegetables, the council said. 

Schools can also be given 'Buckinghamshire Healthy School status' if they part of the Healthy Schools Award scheme. This 'provides access to support, a toolkit and wider resources to implement healthy lifestyle initiatives. 

Cllr Mohammed added: "We also offer a child weight management programme, Spark, which is a free healthy lifestyle programme, empowering children above a healthy weight aged 7-13 to become fitter, healthier and happier. Bucks Family Information Service also offers a wide variety of tools, resources and physical activity opportunities for all, not just children.”