National Child Measurement Programme, England, 2021/22 school year

The prevalence of reception children living with obesity in 2021/22 was highest in the North East (11.4%) and the West Midlands (11.3%). It was lowest in the South East (8.7%), South West (8.9%) and East of England (9.2%). 

The prevalence of year 6 children living with obesity, was highest in the North East (26.6%), the West Midlands (26.2%) and London (25.8%). It was lowest in the South West (19.8%), the South East (20.0%) and the East of England (21.4%). 

Underweight prevalence was highest in London for both reception at 1.9% and year 6 at 1.7%.

The prevalence of children living with obesity varied by local authority.

For reception this ranged from 5.4% in Richmond upon Thames to 14.9% in Sandwell.

In year 6 the range was from 12.4% in Surrey, to 34.0% in Sandwell.

Note the maps cannot be compared with each other due to the different ranges used.

For more information: Table 3b, National Child Measurement Programme: England, 2021/22 school year.

The prevalence of children living with obesity was highest in urban areas for both age groups: 10.4% in reception and 24.4% in year 6.

Underweight prevalence was also highest in urban areas, 1.3% in reception and 1.5% in year 6.

For more information: Table 5a, National Child Measurement Programme: England, 2021/22 school year.

The prevalence of children living with obesity was highest in disadvantaged urban communities for children in reception (13.3%), and highest in disadvantaged urban communities (29.9%) and multicultural city life areas (29.8%) for children in year 6.

Children living with obesity was least prevalent in urban fringe areas for both age groups.