One in three children in Bradford and Airedale leaves primary school either obese or overweight, latest figures reveal.

However, there are early signs that obesity rates in younger children are starting to fall across the Bradford district.

Latest figures from the National Childhood Measurement Programme (NCMP) 2009/2010 also reveal the number of underweight children in reception classes in the district is twice the national and regional average.

Letters informing parents of the results of the NCMP have started to go out to parents of about 7,000 children across the Bradford district, as part of the national programme to help tackle childhood obesity.

The programme requires school nurses to measure all pupils’ height and weight when they start school at the age of four and five (reception year), and again when they are aged ten and 11 (Year 6).

  • Read more on this story in Thursday's T&A