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More than one in seven kids starting school in a Midland city were obese, sobering new data has revealed.. Wolverhampton was the worst-performing part of the Midlands last year with an obesity rate in its Reception classes - pupils aged just four and five - of 14.4 per cent. It was followed by Walsall , with a rate of 13.8 per cent, and Sandwell , at 13.3 per cent READ MORE: Shocking police video of fatal crash as detectives hunt pair who fled The rate in Birmingham was 11.6 per cent, while in contrast it was 8.5 per cent in leafy Solihull . Nationally, one in ten children in the first year of primary school in England was obese in 2024/25, the highest figure on record outside the pandemic. Data from the National Child Measurement Programme also found more than a fifth in Year 6, the last year of primary school, were obese last year, with boys more likely to be overweight than girls. Excluding the peak during the first year of the pandemic, it was the highest obesity prevalence seen in Reception year since records began in 2006/07, and was higher than the 9.6 per cent in 2023/24. The statistics showed some 13 per cent of children in Reception were also overweight, meaning almost one in four of all children in the age group were either overweight or obese. For children in Year 6, obesity prevalence of 22.2 per cent was similar to the previous year, when it was 22.1 per cent. Some 13.9 per cent were overweight in Year 6, meaning more than one in three children aged ten and 11 were overweight or obese. Overall, 1.1 million children were measured at state-maintained schools as part of the data collection. But experts said more years of data were needed to decide whether it was the start of a long-term increase in obesity prevalence in Reception year. Obesity prevalence continued to be more than double in the most deprived areas compared to the least deprived areas for both Reception and Year 6 children. The “deprivation gap” had been increasing since the early years of data collection, the report said. Prof Simon Kenny, NHS national clinical director for children and young people, said: “These figures are extremely concerning – obesity can have a devastating impact on children’s health, increasing their risk of Type 2 diabetes, cancer, mental health issues, and many other illnesses, which can sadly lead to shorter and unhappier lives. “The NHS is transforming the lives of thousands of children and families impacted by severe weight issues through its specialist clinics, supporting them to lose weight, live heathier lives and improve their mental health through a personalised package of support. “But prevention is key, and continued joined-up action by industry and wider society is essential if we want to improve the health of our younger generations.” Katharine Jenner, executive director of the Obesity Health Alliance, said the data was a “stark reminder that poor child health remains a serious issue across England”, particularly among children living in the most deprived areas and those of black African heritage. “Every child deserves the chance to grow up healthy, regardless of their background,” she added. “The findings suggest that the recent small reductions in obesity among Reception-age children were short-lived, with this year’s figures showing one of the highest obesity rates recorded since the programme began. “These concerning trends are at odds with the Government’s ambition to create the healthiest generation of children ever.” Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said: “This government will not look away as kids get unhealthier and critics urge us to leave them behind. “Obesity robs children of the best possible start in life, sets them up for a lifetime of health problems, and costs the NHS billions. “Today’s figures show the extent of the problem and the need to act now, which is exactly what we’re doing – in schools, on sports pitches, and online – to make healthy choices the easy choices, support families, and turn the tide on childhood obesity . “This is prevention, not punishment, and will help families and children across the country.”
