The government urged to act after the NHS findings show that nearly one in five children in Nottinghamshire is obese

Public health groups have expressed concern after new figures show that more than one in five children finishing primary in Nottinghamshire are obese.

As a result, the government has increasingly called for additional measures to prevent young people from consuming junk food and sugary drinks, while the severe obesity rate has reached record levels in England.

NHS Digital figures show that 19% of Grade 6 students in Nottinghamshire in 2017-18 were obese, 3.8% of whom were seriously obese.

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

This means that 33% of young people in Nottinghamshire have unhealthy excess weight at the end of primary school.

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

Caroline Cerny, of Obesity Health Alliance, a coalition of charities in the health field, royal colleges of the medical corps and campaign groups, said, "We can do something about it.

"The ever-growing number of children suffering from obesity is a reflection of the unhealthy environment that drives us toward sugary and fatty foods and drinks.

"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 increased by 18% in 2013-2014.

Figures come from the National Child Measurement Program.

Each year, leaders measure the size and weight of over a million children, in reception and in sixth grade, to evaluate childhood obesity.

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).

It defines a child as obese if his BMI is in the top 5% of the graph and overweight if he is in the top 15%.

Children's BMI is measured differently than adults and is based on age and sex, as well as height and weight.

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 2017-2018, only 10% of Nottinghamshire children were obese at the reception.

In England, one in five students in Grade 6 was obese.

Children from the most disadvantaged backgrounds were twice as likely to be obese as those from the more affluent areas.

Dr. Max Davie of the Royal College of Pediatrics and Child Health said the numbers were "totally unacceptable".

He added: "However, the government has already shown that it is serious in the fight against obesity in children and I am reassured that these statistics will begin to move in the right direction."

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

"We can not expect to see a reversal of trends overnight – but the government has made it clear that it is ready to do whatever it takes to keep kids healthy and healthy in this country.

"The sugar tax, which has funded essential sports and lunch programs in schools, has already cut tons of sugar from the 2030 diet."