The prevalence of obesity among children by the time they start school in England is on the rise, according to the latest NHS data.

A report by NHS Digital, based on the Government’s National Child Measurement Programme, revealed nearly one in 10 reception aged children, equating to 9.6 per cent, were obese in 2023-24 compared with 9.2 per cent in 2022-23.

The programme covers children aged four to five and 10 to 11 in state-maintained schools. However, the prevalence of obesity in year six children decreased from 22.7 per cent in 2022-23 to 22.1 per cent in 2023-24, although it was higher than in 2018-19 and 2019-20.

The report also said obesity prevalence in boys was higher than girls for both age groups, with 9.9 per cent compared with 9.4 per cent in reception year children and 24.5 per cent compared with 19.6 per cent in year six children respectively.

Obesity levels in children living in the most deprived areas was more than twice as high than those living in the least deprived areas for both age groups.

Underweight prevalence among year six children increased from 1.6 per cent in 2022-23 to 1.7 per cent in 2023-24.

According to NHS England, the health service spends £6.5 billion a year on treating obesity-related illness across all age groups.

“Our widening waistlines are costing the NHS and the economy billions of pounds as well as setting kids up for an unhealthy life,” said public health minister Andrew Gwynne.

“Children with obesity are five times as likely to live with the condition as adults, so it is vital that we take urgent action to protect children today by shifting our focus from treatment to prevention.

“That’s why we’re restricting junk food advertising on TV and online, limiting school children’s access to fast food, and banning the sale of energy drinks to under 16s.”