English Primary Schools See Slight Drop in Obesity For First Time In Six Years: New figures have shown that the number of obese or overweight pupils in the final year of Primary School  in England has declined for the first time in six years – from 33.9% in 2012-13 to 33.3% in 2011-12. The new figures still mean that a third of 10-11 year old pupils in English schools are obese or overweight. The number of children who were above their ideal weight also fell in reception classes for the second consecutive year – from 22.6% to 22.2%. The figures come as part of the National Child Measurement Programme which began in 2005.

Due to the Programme’s start date, this year also marked the first time that pupils have been measured for a second time – i.e. pupils who were measured whilst in reception in 2006-2007 have now been measured again in Year 6, the final year of primary school.

Speaking about the figures, Kingsley Manning, chair of the Health and Social Care Information Centre, felt the figures were a stand out in that they marked a drop in obesity rates among Year 6 pupils for the first time, although he said that the numbers which the research returned in future years would determine whether this was ‘the start of a decline or more of a blip’.

According to the official website, the National Child Measurement Programme data is used to support local public health initiatives and to assist in planning and delivering services for children at both a local and national level. The process involves capturing a child’s BMI, although the BMI calculation and the way in which it is assigned is different for children and adults.