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National Statistics
Publication, Part of

National Child Measurement Programme - England, 2014-15

Official statistics, National statistics
Publication Date:
Geographic Coverage:
England
Geographical Granularity:
Regions, Local Authorities
Date Range:
01 Sep 2014 to 31 Aug 2015

Summary

On the 23 February 2016, a correction notice was published in response to some an incorrect interpretation of the NCMP data published in the Sun and Daily Mail.  Please see link at the bottom of page in related links for more information.

This report summarises the key findings from the Government's National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP) for England, 2014-15 school year. It provides high-level analysis of the prevalence of 'underweight', 'healthy weight', 'overweight', 'obese' and 'overweight and obese combined' children, in Reception (aged 4-5 years) and Year 6 (aged 10-11 years), measured in state schools in England in the school year 2014-15.

 

Highlights

England, 2014-15 school year

1,141,859 valid measurements were received for children attending state-maintained schools in England - approximately 95 per cent of those eligible1.

In reception

  • The prevalence of obese children (9.1 per cent ) was lower than 2013/14 (9.5 per cent ) and 2006/07 (9.9 per cent ).
  • Over a fifth (21.9 per cent ) of the children measured were either overweight or obese. This was lower than in 2013/14 (22.5 per cent ) and 2006/07 (22.9 per cent ).

In year 6

  • The prevalence of obese children was similar to 2013/14 (19.1 per cent in both collection years) but higher than in 2006/072 (17.5 per cent ).
  • Around a third (33.2 per cent ) of the children measured were either overweight or obese. This was lower than 2013/14 (33.5 per cent ) but higher than in 2006/07 (31.6 per cent ).

By deprivation

  • Obesity prevalence for children living in the most deprived areas was double that of those living in the least deprived areas3.
  • The obesity prevalence among reception year children living in the most deprived areas was 12.0 per cent compared with 5.7 per cent among those living in the least deprived areas. In year 6 these figures were 25.0 and 11.5 respectively.
  • The difference in obesity prevalence between children attending schools4 in the most and least deprived areas has increased over time. In 2014/15 the difference for reception year was 5.5 percentage points compared to 4.6 percentage points in 2007/08. The equivalent figures for year 6 were 12.0 and 8.9 percentage points.

By geography

  • Obesity prevalence varied by local authority5. For reception this ranged from 4.2 per cent in Richmond upon Thames to 13.6 per cent in Newham.
  • In year 6 the range was from 10.5 per cent in Richmond upon Thames, to 27.8 per cent in Southwark.

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Footnotes

  1. Further information on which children were eligible for inclusion is provided in the National Child Measurement Programme Operational Guidance:
    https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_
    data/file/463929/NCMP_Operational_Guidance_21015_16.pdf
  2. It is likely that year 6 obesity prevalence in the first years of the NCMP (2006/07 to 2008/09) were underestimates due to low participation. This, and the impact of other improvements in data quality, should be considered when making comparisons over time. More details in annex B.
  3. As measured by the Index of Multiple Deprivation 2010 deciles.
  4. Obesity prevalence by deprivation was not published for the 2006/07 collection year so a comparison has been made with 2007/08.
  5. This is based on the upper tier local authority that the child lived in.

Resources

Related Links

Last edited: 2 November 2018 2:02 pm