Almost a quarter of primary one children at risk of obesity or being overweight
Some 24.1% of P1 children measured were found to be at risk in the 2021/22 school year, while 74.7% were considered to be of a healthy weight, and 1.1% were at risk of being underweight.
The number of children specifically at risk of obesity fell to 11.7% from 15.5% in 2020/21, but it was higher than in 2019/20 – 10.4%.
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Hide AdThe report by Public Health Scotland assessed the body mass index of children around the age of five based on their height and weight.
In 2021/22, 15.5% of children living in the most deprived areas were at risk of obesity, compared with 7.3% of those from the least deprived backgrounds.
Some 92.4% of the estimated population of five-year-olds were covered in the report, with 52,732 having a weight review conducted.
Socioeconomic inequalities such as poverty are considered to be a factor in childhood healthy weight, particularly in the percentage of children at risk of obesity.
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Hide AdThe data also found that boys in P1 were slightly less likely than their female counterparts to be of a healthy weight.
A Scottish Government spokesman said: “Addressing obesity remains a public health priority to ensure Scotland is a place where we eat well, have a healthy weight and are physically active.
“Our Diet and Healthy Weight Delivery Plan sets out ambitious and wide-ranging action to address this challenge, including our aim to halve childhood obesity by 2030 and significantly reduce diet-related health inequalities.
“This year we are providing £2.3 million to health boards to improve weight management services for children and young people; funding for these services will continue for the duration of this parliament.
“In addition, we will introduce a Bill in 2022/23 to restrict less healthy food and drink promotions to make it easier for people to make healthier choices.”