ONE in three children leaving primary school in Warrington is overweight or obese according to new figures.

Figures released by the Health and Social Care Information Centre showed that 31.1 per cent of year six pupils in Warrington weigh in above a healthy weight – with 16.3 per cent classed as obese.

Meanwhile 19.3 per cent of children in reception classes in the town are also overweight or obese.

Although the figures are alarming, the numbers are actually slightly lower than the national average – with 33.2 per cent of year six children and 21.9 per cent of reception pupils across the country described as overweight or obese.

It is estimated that obesity and related ill-health will cost the NHS £9.7 billion by 2050, with wider costs estimated at £49.9 billion.

Warrington Borough Council and Bridgewater Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust released a joint statement on the figures.

A spokesperson said: “In Warrington our levels of obesity in year six and reception are lower than the national average but we remain committed to working closely with partners to tackle issues linked to obesity.

“As well as individual factors, such as diet and physical activity, social, economic and environmental factors also play a part.

“Overweight or obese children are likely to become overweight or obese adults – so although many of the most serious health conditions resulting from obesity may not become apparent until adulthood, overweight and obese children are storing up problems for the future.”

2,447 reception children and 2,245 year six children from Warrington were sampled in the survey, accounting for 95 and 96 per cent of all such pupils in the town.

The figures also showed that 1.2 per cent of year six pupils and 0.8 per cent of reception children were underweight.

The council and Bridgewater Community Healthcare outlined plans to help tackle obesity in Warrington.

Their spokesperson added: “Bridgewater Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust delivers the National Child Measurement Programme within the borough which gives valuable information on levels of excess weight and helps us to design and target appropriate services and interventions – the service works in partnership with a range of other health and education providers in the borough.

“In addition to ensuring that there are services to help manager their weight, the team works with colleagues to maximise health benefits – for example the multi-agency operational healthy weight group works with partners to consider the use of vending machines in their organisation’s environment, ensuring there is a balance between healthy options alongside those high in sugar and salt.

“A recent report by Public Health England recommended that the sugar should form no more than five per cent of daily calorie intake.

“Whilst many of the recommendations in the report focus on national strategies for tackling the amount of sugar in our diets, locally the healthy weight group and action plan have a strong focus on reducing sugar intake and closely examining further strategies to help reduce over-consumption of sugar in the town.”

Has your child been told they are overweight or obese?

Contact adam.everett@nqnw.co.uk or call 434109.