THE scale of Warrington’s obesity problem among primary school pupils has been laid bare in new statistics.

A fifth of children in Warrington are finishing primary school obese, new figures reveal, and the rate has risen compared to pre-pandemic levels.

NHS Digital figures show 21.9 per cent of year six pupils measured in Warrington schools were obese in 2021-22.

This includes 5.4 per cent who were severely obese, with a body mass index (BMI) in the top 0.4 per cent for a child's age and sex.

A further 13.4 per cent of children were overweight, meaning 35.3 per cent of Warrington's youngsters are unhealthily overweight when they finish primary school.

The figures show more older primary school pupils in the area are living with obesity than before the coronavirus pandemic – 19.2 per cent of students measured were obese in 2019-20, the latest period with comparable local data.

Nationally, 31.3 per cent of 10 and 11-year-old children living in the most deprived areas of England were obese compared to 13.5 per cent of those living in the least deprived areas.

Helen Stewart, officer for health improvement at the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, said the data ‘reaffirms the intrinsic link between obesity and poverty’.

She added: “We now find ourselves in a situation where our most vulnerable children are twice as likely to become obese, and subsequently be at a higher risk of chronic illnesses, mental health issues and even a shorter life span.

“It is inherently wrong that these children can be placed at such a disadvantage before even leaving primary school.”

A government spokesman did not comment on whether it would press ahead with its anti-obesity strategy.

However, they said it is ‘committed to halving childhood obesity by 2030’ through support schemes for vulnerable families, such as Healthy Start.

“More than £150million is spent every year to healthy food schemes to promote a healthy diet for children,” they added.