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New data on children's height and weight published

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH News Release issued by COI News Distribution Service.

Almost one million children measured

Nearly one million school children were weighed and measured during 2007/08 as part of the National Child Measurement Programme, Public Health Minister Dawn Primarolo announced today.

This exceeds the national goal of 85 per cent participation with 88 per cent of children in Reception and Year Six being weighed.

The 2007/08 report published by the NHS Information Centre today, shows that in Reception (4-5 year olds), almost one in four of the children measured were either overweight or obese. In Year 6 (10-11 year olds), this rate was nearly one in three.

The statistics show there has been no significant change in the prevalence of overweight and obese children in both Reception and Year 6. However, it is too early to predict that the rates of obesity and being overweight among children have stabilised. The information that is due to emerge over the next year or so will be crucial to this assessment.

Ms Primarolo said:

"Obesity is one of the biggest public health challenges we face. If we do nothing, 90 per cent of today's children could be overweight or obese by 2050, leaving them at risk from serious illnesses such as heart disease or diabetes.

"These figures show that there are still too many children who are overweight and obese - that's why we're supporting families to lead healthier lives. Change4Life will provide everyone with the information and support they need to improve their lives. The Change4Life revolution starts in January."

Change4Life is a lifestyle revolution involving thousands of local organisations and charities which will help mums, dads and families eat well, move more and live longer. Under the banner Change4Life, the Government is galvanising support from everyone in the country from grass roots organisations to leading supermarkets and charities.

This means that, from January onwards, families will start to see new local initiatives providing support, help and advice to help them live more healthily. For example, there will be healthy food promotions and recipes in supermarkets, walking campaigns, cycling groups or free swimming for under 16s and over 60s. This will be backed up by a major advertising campaign.

Health effects of excess weight are increasingly apparent in children. The incidence of both type 2 diabetes and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease used to be rare in children but is now increasing - 20,000 children under 15 now have diabetes.

Baroness Delyth Morgan, Children's Minister said:

"This programme provides the crucial data at both a national and local level, and all local partners should be using this data to inform the delivery of services to children. As this programme continues, we will continue to track this epidemic, but equally importantly keep engaging with parents and health professionals about the importance of healthy living and healthy eating."

Ends

Notes to editors

1. For media enquiries only contact the Press Office on tel: 020 7210 5221.

2. A copy of the 2007/08 report is available at : http://www.ic.nhs.uk

3. The National Child Measurement Programme began in 2005. Children in Reception (4-5 year olds) and Year 6 (10-11 year olds) have their height and weight measured in schools as part of the NCMP, which takes place every year.

4. Trained staff, such a school nurse, oversee the delivery of the programme at a local level. Care is taken when weighing and measuring the children, to ensure it is done in a sensitive way with the measurements being taken in a separate room or screened off area. National guidance stipulates that pupils will not be told about other pupils' weight and height and the results will not be shown to teachers or other school staff.

5. Once a child's height and weight have been recorded, the results will be held by their local Primary Care Trust (PCT) along with some other information, including date of birth and the school. The PCT will then send this information securely to the NHS Information Centre, who will look after and analyse it on behalf of the Department of Health. During the upload to the Information Centre, the bits of the data that could identify the child, such as their name and date of birth will be removed or changed, so that they cannot be identified. Once the Information Centre has this anonymous information, they will analyse it to look at trends in children's height and weight across England.

6. More than 12,400 grass roots organisations, charities including Cancer Research, Diabetes UK and the British Heart Foundation, Tesco, Asda, PepsiCo, Kelloggs, ITV, the Association of Convenience Stores and the Fitness Industry Association have signed up to Change4Life. Through the Advertising Association the Government is talking to a number of companies including BSkyB, Kraft and Unilever and is talking directly with a further 50 organisations.There are no limits to the number who can participate.

7. For copies of the Change4Life creatives call the Department of Health newsdesk on 020 7210 5221.

8. Anyone who wants to get involved with Change4Life should register at http://www.nhs.uk/change4life