Publication, Part of National Child Measurement Programme

National Child Measurement Programme, England, 2023/24 School Year

Official statistics, National statistics, Accredited official statistics

Publication Date:: 5 Nov 2024
Geographic Coverage:: England
Geographical Granularity:: Regions, Local Authorities

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Introduction

Summary

This report presents findings from the Government's National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP) for England, 2023/24 school year.

It covers children in Reception (aged 4-5 years) and Year 6 (aged 10-11 years) in mainstream state-maintained schools in England.

The report contains analyses of Body Mass Index (BMI) classification rates by age, sex, deprivation and ethnicity as well as geographic analyses.

Key Facts

The prevalence of obesity in Reception children increased

from 9.2% in 2022/23 to 9.6% in 2023/24

This is lower than in 2019/20, but similar to 2018/19

The prevalence of obesity in Year 6 children decreased

from 22.7% in 2022/23 to 22.1% in 2023/24

This is higher than in 2018/19 and 2019/20

Obesity prevalence in boys is higher than girls for both age groups

For boys in reception, obesity prevalence was 9.9%, compared with 9.4% of girls

For boys in Year 6, obesity prevalence was 24.5%, compared with 19.6% of girls

For children living in the most deprived areas, obesity prevalence was over twice as high compared with those living in the least deprived areas

For Reception children living in the most deprived areas the prevalence of obesity was 12.9%, compared with 6.0% of those living in the least deprived areas

For children in Year 6 living in the most deprived areas, the prevalence of obesity was 29.2%, compared with 13.0% of those living in the least deprived areas

Underweight prevalence in Year 6 children has increased

From 1.6% in 2022/23 to 1.7% in 2023/24