Quarter of reception class pupils overweight in Gloucestershire
NEARLY a quarter of children start their school life in Gloucestershire overweight or obese – more than the national average.
And by the time they reach Year 6 the figure has risen to almost one in three.
The report about schoolchildren’s weight was compiled by The NHS Information Centre.
In Gloucestershire 5,922 Reception children were surveyed.
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Of them, 876 (14.8 per cent) were found to be overweight and 521 (8.8 per cent) were found to be obese.
A total of 5,615 Year 6 pupils were also surveyed and 769 (13.7 per cent) found to be overweight.
And 1,005 of them (17.9 per cent), were found to be obese.
In England more than a million children were surveyed and 22.6 per cent of Reception children found to be overweight or obese and 33.9 per cent Year 6 children.
Adults with a BMI of between 25 and 29 are considered to be overweight and a BMI of 30 or above is considered to be obese.
As children grow at different rates their BMIs were compared with the average of his or her age and sex.
A child was considered to be overweight if they were found to be between the 85th and 94th centile and obese if they were found to be equal to or above the 95th centile.
Cheltenham-based nutritionist Marianne Andrews said: “That’s quite frightening.
“I think it has a lot to do with food labels being confusing these days.
“Even as a nutritionist I go into a shop and find them confusing.
“And people rely so much on processed foods which are higher in fat and salt.
“Even things like cereals are billed as healthy but are not.
“Advertising probably plays a big part in that.”
The figures come as a report shows that many less well off families are buying 22 per cent less fruit and vegetables than before the recession. The Government’s annual Family Food survey said only those in the top fifth income bracket are estimated to be eating the recommended five a day.
Marianne said the old adage that “breakfast is the most important meal of the day” still rings true and can help keep your weight stable.
She recommended parents give their children porridge or scrambled eggs in the mornings.
Stuart Langworthy, director of business and enterprise at Millbrook Academy, Brockworth, is also chairman of Abbeymead Rovers.
He said: “I’m surprised by the figures.
“But then kids don’t get as much exercise these days because of the computer and Xbox generation.
“As a football club we encourage young people of all shapes and sizes to come along and enjoy themselves.”
Comments
by Lord_Gaga_
Monday, December 17 2012, 3:37PM
“Cocoa, if you look like Kylie, your hubby is a very lucky bloke, unless, that is, you sound like her as well.”
by Lord_Gaga_
Monday, December 17 2012, 3:28PM
“Takeaway 22 stone
you like wife's songs then?”
by JASB999
Monday, December 17 2012, 2:56PM
“All you need do is look at the kids in the school play ground - you can see that there are a lot of fat kids out there.
The problem is that many parents are in denial and continue allowing thier kids to have a poor diet and low levels of activity. There are exceptions as some of the comments have indicated, but they are in the minority.”
by Cocoa
Monday, December 17 2012, 2:09PM
“Lord Gaga. How did you know I look like Kylie?
For your information, neither myself or my husband are fat, we keep fit and we eat healthily.”
by Takeaway22
Monday, December 17 2012, 1:55PM
“Lord_Gaga_- My my, you really aren't that bright are you. Were you born this way or did it take many years of training? ;)”
by Lord_Gaga_
Monday, December 17 2012, 1:22PM
“Takeawayburger
don't you know the difference between fat and weight?”
by Cocoa
Monday, December 17 2012, 12:59PM
“When my daughter started Reception, she used to dance and have swimming lessons every week. She has always been aware of healthy eating and never fails to eat cereal in the mornings. She didn't/doesn't have an ounce of fat on her. Since joining Reception, she has become a very enthusiastic gymnast and recently won an award for sports at school.
When I received the letter from the school to say they would be weighing children, I didn't think for a second that we would receive a letter advising us that she was over weight. This was very upsetting and an insult as we we made to feel like bad parents.
My husband sent a letter of complaint to the NHS but they never had the courtesy to reply.
Lord_Gaga, you really don't have a clue what you are talking about.”
by Takeaway22
Monday, December 17 2012, 11:45AM
“by JASB999 - I wasn't going to ask if you have kids but hey ho. Do you agree that BMI does not directly measure body fat?”
by JASB999
Monday, December 17 2012, 11:22AM
“Takeaway you are so wrong here. Accepted that top athletes don't fit in the BMI range - but children do.
And parents that over feed their children or don't provide enough opportunities to excercise should be done for child abuse. Because that is what it is.
Before you ask I have two kids, both of them in the ideal BMI range.”
by Takeaway22
Sunday, December 16 2012, 12:31PM
“Lord_Gaga_ - You are forgiven for your naivety so I will put it in terms that even you can understand. I will give you some examples:
In accordance to the BMI index, Johnny Wilkinson is obese. Arguably the greatest basketball player of all time Michael Jordan was clinically obese when he was in his prime in accordance with the BMI method of measurement (simple weight vs height), it does not directly measure body fat.
You used the word "fat". Muscle is at least 20% heavier than fat for a given volume. Please understand, it ain't difficult.
I appreciate some people are not bright enough to understand this but that's ok. I suppose that why some will call them a bit Gaga (like your name). ;)”