Child obesity figures published

Nearly a quarter of children aged between four and five are obese or overweight, according to new government figures.

According to statistics released by the Department of Health on Thursday, almost a third of 10 and 11-year-olds are overweight.

The figures come from the government's 2006/07 weighing scheme, in which 80 per cent of children starting and finishing primary school took part.

Obesity rates for children in reception class and year six were highest in London, the North East, and West Midlands, said the report.

The South East coast and the South West coast had the lowest obesity prevalence for reception and year six respectively. 

Boys aged four and five and ten and eleven are more likely to be obese than their female peers.

Public health minister Dawn Primarolo said the figures "come as no surprise" but it was "encouraging" that more than 900,000 children had been weighed as part of the national child measurement programme.

She pointed to the government's £372m obesity strategy "which supports creation of a healthy society for children and adults in all fields" and stressed the need to support parents in ensuring a healthy diet.

"Knowing how many children are overweight or obese and spotting trends is key to ensuring that families, communities, public services, industry and government take the right action in tackling obesity," she said.