Obesity rates among reception class children in Wigan have a hit a shocking new high

The Obesity Health Alliance, a coalition of health organisations, said the data is at odds with the Government's target of creating the "healthiest generation of children ever".

The recent National Child Measurement Programme shows some 3,170 Reception children in Wigan were measured in 2024-25, with about 375 (11.8 per cent) found to be obese.

It was an increase from 10.2 per cent the year before and the highest since records for the area began.

Meanwhile, 24.4 per cent of youngsters in Year 6, the final year of primary school, were obese in 2024-25. It was up from 23.7 per cent the year before.

Across England, 10.5 per cent of children in Reception and 22.2 per cent in Year 6 were obese in 2024-25.

Excluding the peak during the first year of the pandemic, the rate of obesity in Reception year was the highest since records began in 2006-07.

Experts said further years of data are needed to determine whether this is the start of a long-term increase in obesity in Reception year.

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."

Rachael Musgrave, director of public health at Wigan Council, said: “Childhood obesity is a complex issue that goes far beyond an individual child’s weight.

“Many families face real barriers when it comes to accessing nutritious food and opportunities to be physically active, compounded by industries that aggressively market unhealthy food to children and their families

“Tackling these challenges demands bold, coordinated action to reshape our environments so that healthy choices are not only available, but are the easiest, most accessible and most appealing options; and to address the stigma associated with unhealthy weight which can lead to blaming families and individuals.

“As a council we’re committed to working with partners locally and nationally to address these systemic issues and support families to give every child the best start in life.”

The report also found children from black ethnic groups are more likely to be living with obesity, and children in the most deprived areas are over twice as likely to be obese than kids in the least deprived areas.

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".

She added: "Every child deserves the chance to grow up healthy, regardless of their background.

"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."

Through its Wigan Healthy Schools programme, Wigan Council is working with primary and secretary schools and other partners as part of its efforts to change the environment in which local children and young people are growing up.

The programme supports schools to embed whole-setting approaches that prioritise healthier food policies, increase opportunities for physical activity throughout the school day, and foster a culture that promotes wellbeing.

• 91 school settings are recognised as Healthy Wigan Schools
• Around 20,000 young people are influenced by a school embedding the Wigan Healthy Schools framework
• Around 3,000 school staff have been gaining support for their own wellbeing or being upskilled to better support children and young people
• More than 500 healthy schools leads and professionals receive our Healthy Schools newsletter and share through their networks, reaching an estimated 25,000 parents and carers

More information about Wigan Healthy Schools is available on the local authority’s website: Healthy Schools

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."

He added the Government is making healthy choices the "easy choices" and supporting families.

"This is prevention, not punishment, and will help families and children across the country," he said.

Local figures will not have been helped by the large number of fast food outlets in the area.

Analysis of Food Standards Agency data by the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities shows there were 425 fast food units in Wigan in February 2024.

With a population of 339,200 people, it meant the area had a rate of 125 fast food places per 100,000 people – above the national average of 116 per 100,000.

OHID noted that while not all fast food is unhealthy, it is typically high in saturated fat, salt and calories.

The figures also revealed significant disparity by deprivation level, as the country's most deprived areas had 147 fast food restaurants per 100,000 people, while the least deprived had just 73 per 100,000.