the number of children in his last year of primary school who are classified as underweight is on the rise, according to new NHS data that reveals health inequalities in England.

Although it is a small percentage of children, the number of year 6 children in England who are underweight has increased each year since 2020/21, according to an NHS report published on Tuesday.

While 1.3 per cent of children in the final year of primary school were underweight in 2009/10, this figure has now risen to 1.7 per cent in 2023/24.

More girls than boys are underweight by the time they are in the sixth grade; It represents 1.8 percent of girls and 1.5 percent of boys.

For children in reception, the number of underweight children it has remained at 1.2 percent since 2021/22.

There is also a growing problem with serious childhood illnesses. obesityaccording to data from the National Child Measurement Program in England.

one in five children in year 6 were classified as obese in the 2023/24 school year, and 13.8 percent were overweight. This equates to more than 134,000 children in grade six living with obesity.

Childhood obesity hotspots included Knowsley, where 30.7 per cent of sixth form pupils are obese, and Wolverhampton and the London borough of Barking and Dagenham.

The prevalence of obesity in Year 6 children has decreased slightly in the past year: from 22.7 per cent in 2022/23 to 22.1 per cent in 2023/24.

There is a strong relationship between deprivation and obesity, the report found.

Obesity was more than twice as high (12.9 per cent) in foster children living in the most deprived areas of England than in those in the least deprived (6 per cent). This figure increased to four times that for foster-age children with severe obesity.

In the most deprived areas, severe childhood obesity is worsening and is higher than before the pandemic.

Responding to the figures, the Local Government Association, which represents councils, warned that money from a tax on the soft drinks industry was not being used to combat obesity and promote physical activity.

They propose that the tax be extended to milk-based drinks, such as smoothies and high-sugar coffees.

Professor Simon Kenny, National Health Service EnglandNational clinical director for children and young people, said: “These latest figures continue to worry me as they show that almost one in ten children are now classed as obese in their first year of school.

“The NHS cannot solve this alone and continued action from industry, local and national governments and wider society alongside the NHS is essential to help create a healthy nation.”