Publication, Part of National Child Measurement Programme
National Child Measurement Programme, England, 2023/24 School Year
Official statistics, National statistics, Accredited official statistics
This publication for the 2023/24 School Year is the last to be produced by NHS England.
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) will be responsible for publishing the accredited official statistics report from the 2024/25 School Year, and have announced the planned publication date for the 2024/25 report.
Please see the NCMP report series page for additional details.
27 May 2025 17:00 PM
Part 2: Geography
Region
In reception, the prevalence of obesity in 2023/24 was highest in the West Midlands (10.9%), North East (10.8%) and Yorkshire and the Humber (10.7%). It was lowest in the East of England (8.4%), South East (8.6%) and South West (8.8%).
In year 6, obesity prevalence ranged from 24.5% in the North East, to 19.1% in the South West.
For 2023/24, underweight prevalence remained highest in London for both reception and year 6 at 1.9% and 2.1% respectively.
Local authority
Obesity prevalence varied by local authority.
For reception this ranged from 5.7% in Wokingham to 13.9% in Hartlepool.
In year 6 the range was from 13.3% in Richmond upon Thames, to 31.0% in Sandwell.
Note the maps cannot be compared with each other due to the different ranges used.
For more information: Table 3b UTLA, National Child Measurement Programme: England, 2023/24 school year.
ONS Area Classification
In reception obesity prevalence was highest in disadvantaged urban communities (12.8%) and lowest in urban fringe areas (6.9%). In year 6, obesity prevalence was highest in disadvantaged urban communities (27.9%) and multicultural city life areas (27.6%). It was again lowest in urban fringe areas (15.5%).
Underweight prevalence was highest in multicultural city life areas for both age groups: 2.4% for reception and 2.4% for year 6.
For more information: Table 7a, National Child Measurement Programme, England, 2023/24 school year.
ONS Area classifications use census data to identify areas of the country with similar characteristics. For further details see:
Last edited: 27 May 2025 5:00 pm