More than a third of 11-year-olds in Bradford are overweight or obese

In excess of a third of Year Six children, 36.4 per cent, were measured as overweight or obese during the 2013/14 school year, up from 35.4 per cent in 2012/13.

That figure is the highest in the county, above the regional prevalence rate for Yorkshire and the Humber, 33.4 per cent, and higher than the national rate of 33.5 per cent.

But, according to the results of the National Child Measurement Programme, published by the Health and Social Care Information Centre, the district also had the lowest rate of overweight or obese at reception age at 21.6 per cent, lower than both the regional, 22.2 per cent, and national rates, 22.6 per cent.

Between the ages of five and 12 however, the prevalence rate rises by 14.8 per cent, well above the regional and national increases of 11.2 per cent and 10.9 per cent respectively.

Experts in Bradford Council's public health department conceded the figures were "very high" and warned that parents need to make more efforts to encourage their children to live healthier lifestyles.

Ralph Saunders, head of public health, said: "About one in six of the children who were of a healthy weight in reception are now overweight now they are in Year Six.

"We are working hard to make sure that trend doesn’t continue, and that those at a healthy weight in this year’s reception remain in that category.

"No-one wants to be told that their child is overweight, but we know from experience that, after the initial shock, parents begin to accept that changes are needed to ensure their children are in the best health possible.

“Lifestyle behaviour is a very personal issue.

"Our cultural beliefs and family practices have been passed down from our parents and grandparents, and it is very easy not to be active and to eat unhealthy food."

The Council said it offers a range of initiatives to help families make healthier choices, such as the Health Exercise and Nutrition for the Really Young programme, the Ministry of Food project, and health promotion in schools.

"What we feed our children and how active they are now can have a big impact on their health when they are older, and no-one wants their child to suffer from conditions like diabetes, heart disease or cancer later on in life," said Mr Saunders.

“Children look to their parents, other adult family members, and friends to set an example but unfortunately figures show that three-quarters of adults eat an unhealthy diet and an even higher proportion don’t do enough activity to benefit their health.

"It can be difficult to make time to cook and be active, but it's worth it to safeguard your child's health.”

The figures were based on Body Mass Index (BMI) measurements, and nationally, obesity among children was highest for those living in the most deprived areas of England, based on the 2010 Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD), which classifies children based on the location of their school.

Nationally, obesity rates were found to be higher in deprived areas.

Boys in both year groups were also found to be more likely to be overweight or obese. In reception, 9.9 per cent of boys and nine per cent of girls were classified as obese, while in Year Six the rate was 20.8 per cent for boys and 17.3 per cent for girls.

Meanwhile the overall prevalence of underweight children was lower in reception (0.9 per cent) than in Year Six (1.4 per cent).

Dr Colin Michie, chairman of the nutrition committee at the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, said it was "ridiculous" that junk food was often cheaper than healthy options and said tax changes should be investigated.

He said: "The headline that poor children are more likely to be obese is nothing new. But what is startling is the gulf between health outcomes for rich and poor, the fact that childhood obesity is continuing to rise and children are getting fatter younger.

"We have to get away from the idea that, just because a child grows up in a low-income area or in a low-income family, it's somehow accepted that they will be overweight or obese.

"Interventions for tackling the UK's obesity crisis must concentrate on where it is most needed. It is ridiculous that most junk food is cheaper than healthier alternatives, so a potential tax on foods high in salt, sugar and fat should be explored."

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