One in four year 6 children in Salford classified as obese

One in four children in their final year of primary school in Salford is obese, new figures have revealed.

Data from the National Child Measurement Programme, which covers state schools across the country, shows that 25.7% of year 6 children in the city are obese.

Salford ranks within the 40 local authority areas with the highest levels of obesity among Year 6 pupils, out of a total of 317 authorities in England.

Despite the fact that obesity among schoolchildren in Salford is alarmingly prevalent, stats show that the number of year 6s in the city with excess body fat has fallen by 1% in the last year.

But a greater proportion of Salford’s reception children are obese compared to the national average.

12.2% of the city’s children studying in their first year of primary school have been classified as obese, 1.7% higher than the 10.5% national average.

The report outlined that the level of obesity for reception children is the highest it has been on record, outside the COVID-19 pandemic, when schooling took place online and access to outdoor activities was limited.

Councillor Mishal Saeed, Executive Support Member for Social Care and Mental Health at Salford City Council, said: “Tackling childhood obesity is vital to ensuring our children have the healthiest possible start in life.

“Since 2022, Salford has seen a decline in the proportion of children aged 10 to 11 who are overweight or living with obesity. While our rates remain higher than the national average, the gap is beginning to narrow.

“There is more progress to make, particularly as we look into the recent rise in rates among children aged 4 to 5 so we can offer support even earlier.

“Programmes such as the free HAPPI Programme and the Development Chefs Programme are helping families make healthier choices, and initiatives like Beat the Street — with 18,000 participants and all schools taking part — are encouraging children to be more active.

“These efforts are making a difference, and we are committed to building on this work with families, schools, communities and partners across the city to offer these opportunities for every child in Salford.”