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198 7.2 Childhood Obesity
Table 7.2.1 Percentage of children classified as obese in National Child
Measurement Programme
Percentage of children classified as obese
Age 2006/07 2007/08 2009/10 2010/11
Reception (4–5 year olds)
Year 6 (10–11 year olds) 9.9 9.6 9.8 9.4
17.5 18.3 18.7 19
Other definitions of overweight and The National Child Measurement Programme
obesity in UK schools measures children when they enter
Reception, age 4–5 years, and again in their final
To date, UK Government statistics use the 85th year of primary school – Year 6, age 10–11 years.
BMI centile as the cut-off for overweight and the About 93 per cent of children take part, as they are
95th BMI centile as the cut-off for obesity. As able to opt out. The figures (Table 7.2.1) may be a
these 2 centile lines are not marked in the BMI slight underestimate as parents of obese children
charts in clinical use, they are not used in clinical are more likely to request that their children are not
practice. measured.
Definitions used in other countries vary and the The latest figures also showed that obesity levels
International Task Force on Obesity set cut-offs were highest in London and lowest in the southern
that are similar to those used clinically in the UK home counties. Obesity is also more prevalent in
but not exactly the same. deprived areas and urban environments and lower
socio-economic groups (Jotangia et al. 2006).
Assessing overweight or obesity
Figures from the Health Survey for England
Studies have shown that neither healthcare 2010 show similar figures but are over a wider age
professionals nor parents can reliably assess, just by range (Table 7.2.2).
eye, whether a child is overweight or obese. The
assessment must be carried out more objectively, Table 7.2.2 Percentage of children classified as
using the BMI centile. overweight or obese in Health Survey for
England 2010
Waist circumference centile charts can be used
to estimate truncal fat stores and the consequent Percentage of children
risks to health. Waist circumference has increased
at a greater rate than BMI over the last few decades. Age range Overweight Obese
2–4 years
Where an adolescent is in relation to their 5–10 years 15 11
pubertal growth spurt should be taken into 11–15 years
consideration as full height may not have been 13 17
reached.
15 18
Prevalence of Childhood Obesity
in the UK Factors Associated with
Childhood Obesity
The prevalence of childhood overweight and
obesity has been increasing in developed countries Eating patterns, activity levels, ethnicity, genetics,
over the last few decades. In the UK rates have risen low socio-economic status and environment all
from around 8 per cent in 1974 to around 30 per play a part in the development of obesity. Evidence
cent in 2010. is emerging that genetic differences may make
some children more susceptible to obesity in an
obesogenic environment (Bouchard 2009).
