Child obesity levels better than the average

OBESITY levels among children at Warrington are below the regional and national averages, according to the latest figures available.
The National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP) measures the weight and height of primary school children in reception class (aged 4 to 5 years) and Year 6 (aged 10 to 11 years) each year.
Latest figures show that in 2013/14 the Warrington obesity rate in reception children was 7.8 per cent – the same as the previous year and lower than both England (9.5 per cent) and the North West (9.9 per cent).
In Year 6 children, the obesity rate reduced from 16.7 per cent in 2012/13 to 16.2 per cent last year.
Again, this was lower than the England (19.1 per cent) and North West rate (19.8 per cent).
Participation rates for reception were 97.8 per cent, compared to 95.8 per cent (North West) and 93.8 per cent (England) while in Year 6 they were 96.4 per cent, compared to 94.7 per cent (North West) and 93.6 per cent (England).
Cllr Pat Wright (pictured), the borough council’s lead member for health, wellbeing and adult services, said: “This is really good news and I know that we are doing everything we can to educate our children and young people, and adults, about making the right choices when it comes to diet and leading a healthy lifestyle.
“Having rates that are below the regional and national averages should be highlighted and commended and we will continue to do everything we can to bring these rates down even further.”
Warrington School Nursing Team will be contacting all primary head teachers and parents/carers of reception and Year 6 children to start the next NCMP in the spring term.