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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Child obesity 'a major problem' | Child obesity 'a major problem' |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Almost one in four five-year olds and one in three 11-year olds is overweight or obese, according to the national child measurement programme. | Almost one in four five-year olds and one in three 11-year olds is overweight or obese, according to the national child measurement programme. |
| In 2006/07, 80% of children in England starting and finishing primary school took part in the weighing scheme, compared with half the previous year. | In 2006/07, 80% of children in England starting and finishing primary school took part in the weighing scheme, compared with half the previous year. |
| Rates of obesity are worst in the North East, West Midlands and London, the NHS Information Centre report said. | Rates of obesity are worst in the North East, West Midlands and London, the NHS Information Centre report said. |
| Campaigners said awareness of what was a "normal weight" needed to improve. | Campaigners said awareness of what was a "normal weight" needed to improve. |
| The measurement scheme, which children can opt out of, came under fire in 2005/6 because only 48% of children were weighed. | The measurement scheme, which children can opt out of, came under fire in 2005/6 because only 48% of children were weighed. |
| We're looking at overweight children and not seeing them as overweight Dr David Haslam, National Obesity Forum | We're looking at overweight children and not seeing them as overweight Dr David Haslam, National Obesity Forum |
| It meant the figures were unreliable as there was likely to be a higher rate of opt-out among heavier children. | It meant the figures were unreliable as there was likely to be a higher rate of opt-out among heavier children. |
| In response the government said, while it did not want to make the scheme compulsory, it would set a target of 80% uptake. | In response the government said, while it did not want to make the scheme compulsory, it would set a target of 80% uptake. |
| The latest figures from the 876,416 children weighed show 22.9% of those in reception (aged four to five) and 31.6% of those in year six (aged 10-11) are overweight or obese. | The latest figures from the 876,416 children weighed show 22.9% of those in reception (aged four to five) and 31.6% of those in year six (aged 10-11) are overweight or obese. |
| In both age groups, boys are more likely than girls to be obese. | In both age groups, boys are more likely than girls to be obese. |
| The figures are similiar to those reported last year. | |
| Trends | Trends |
| The report said that data was still missing for some children and further analysis suggested that rates of obesity in 11-year olds could be slightly underestimated. | The report said that data was still missing for some children and further analysis suggested that rates of obesity in 11-year olds could be slightly underestimated. |
| Dr on obese babies Public health minister Dawn Primarolo said the figures had come as no surprise, but she was encouraged that a higher proportion of children had been weighed and measured. | Dr on obese babies Public health minister Dawn Primarolo said the figures had come as no surprise, but she was encouraged that a higher proportion of children had been weighed and measured. |
| "Knowing how many children are overweight or obese and spotting trends is key to ensuring that families, communities, public services, industry and government take the right action in tackling obesity. | "Knowing how many children are overweight or obese and spotting trends is key to ensuring that families, communities, public services, industry and government take the right action in tackling obesity. |
| "We recently published the £372m obesity strategy, which supports creation of a healthy society for children and adults in all fields - from early years, to schools and food, from sport and physical activity to planning, transport, the health service and other areas." | "We recently published the £372m obesity strategy, which supports creation of a healthy society for children and adults in all fields - from early years, to schools and food, from sport and physical activity to planning, transport, the health service and other areas." |
| Dr David Haslam, clinical director of the National Obesity Forum, said if you went into a school playground you would not predict that many children were overweight. | Dr David Haslam, clinical director of the National Obesity Forum, said if you went into a school playground you would not predict that many children were overweight. |
| "Our perception of weight has changed. We're looking at overweight children and not seeing them as overweight. | "Our perception of weight has changed. We're looking at overweight children and not seeing them as overweight. |
| "The reason we have these figures is because being overweight is a health risk - we should be paying more attention." | "The reason we have these figures is because being overweight is a health risk - we should be paying more attention." |
| He welcomed the fact that a higher proportion of children were taking part in the scheme. | He welcomed the fact that a higher proportion of children were taking part in the scheme. |
| "The figures need to be used to put pressure on the government and the food industry and schools themselves. | "The figures need to be used to put pressure on the government and the food industry and schools themselves. |
| "It's a serious and major problem." | "It's a serious and major problem." |