South Tyneside has one of the highest rates of childhood obesity in England

According to new figures, South Tyneside has one of the highest rates of obesity among elementary students in England.

Public health groups have urged the government to take additional measures to prevent young people from consuming junk food and sugary drinks, NHS Digital figures showing that close to one in six children in the year 6 of the borough in 2017-18 was classified as obese – and of which 5.4% were severely obese.

In addition, 14% of Grade 6 children were classified as overweight.

This means that 39% of South Tyneside youth are overweight at the end of elementary school.

In England, 4.2% of children aged 10 and 11 are seriously obese, a record.

Council Tracey Dixon, a senior member of the South Tyneside Council for Independence and Well-being, said, "We are committed to fighting obesity and promoting healthy lifestyles among our children and our children. youth.

"As part of our Childhood Obesity Strategy, we are providing training to staff working with overweight families, and we are working to educate local children's services in the National Change4Life Program to encourage families to do more." healthy lifestyle choices.

"This includes making sure families have information about the sugar content of foods."

She added, "In addition, all South Tyneside children are now attending a" healthy school "where health and wellness are promoted and children are encouraged to adopt a healthy lifestyle.

"We recognize that it's a lot harder for people to make healthy choices if there's a proliferation of hot take-aways where they live." By limiting exposure to unhealthy food choices, we can take a proactive approach to promote healthier lifestyles and reduce the number of overweight or obese residents. "

Caroline Cerny, of Obesity Health Alliance, a coalition of charities in the health sector, said, "The growing number of children with obesity clearly reflects the unhealthy environment which pushes us towards drinks and sugary and fatty foods.

"We need to start by reducing the number of junk food ads that kids see before 9 pm, the restrictions on promoting junk food in supermarkets, and the food industry redoubling its efforts to reduce sugar and fat in the supermarket. basic foods.

Although school lunches are becoming healthier, the proportion of 10- and 11-year-old obese children in grade 6 has risen from 23% in 2013-2014.

Figures come from the National Child Measurement Program.

Each year, managers measure the size and weight of over a million children, at home and in grade six, to assess obesity among children. children.

The government is developing obesity using the 1990 British Growth Reference Chart, an extensive collection of statistics used to determine a child's body mass index (BMI).

Obesity can lead to heart problems and type 2 diabetes later in life, as well as psychological problems such as low self-esteem and depression.

The data shows that children often develop weight problems in primary school.

In 2017-18, just 10% of children in South Tyneside were obese at the host class stage.

Public Health Minister Steve Brine said, "Obesity has been a problem for decades – a problem that will require considerable effort by government, schools, families, and society. in general.

"We can not expect to see a reversal of trends overnight – but we have made it clear that we are willing to do all that is necessary to keep children healthy and healthy in this country.