More than a quarter of Year 6 school pupils in Halton are obese according to a new report, with the rate more than doubling compared to when they are reception age.

The borough’s Halton Public Health Annual Report revealed 11.6 per cent of pupils in reception in 2022/23 were classed as obese, with that figure rocketing to 28 per cent by Year 6.

And although the percentage in reception has remained relatively stable over the last 10 years, the report said there had been a 'noticeable increase' in obesity among Year 6 children. The figures are higher than both the North West and England averages, with deprivation being cited as one of the biggest causes.

The report added that the cost of living crisis and food price inflation had ‘disproportionately affected’ low-income families, who it said typically allocate a larger share of their budgets to food. The report added that nationally, fewer than half of children meet the recommended physical activity guidelines of at least 60 minutes of moderate physical activity each day.

It said children from the least affluent families are less likely to meet these guidelines. It also warned that child obesity often serves as an indicator for adult obesity, which can lead to poor health outcomes.

It said: “Deprivation is the major underlying inequality underpinning differences in obesity levels, due to the dietary risk factors and wider determinants associated with deprivation.

"People in deprived areas often face significant barriers to accessing affordable, healthy food and to taking regular exercise.”

The report added: “Recent years have seen obesity increase in the most deprived communities in England, leading to a widening gap between the most and least deprived areas.”

The council’s public health team have been facilitating activities at schools designed to help combat obesity. These have included education about healthy packed lunches and a morning ‘wake up shake up’ routines, where pupils undertake exercise routines to music.

The report singled out positive work being done by Windmill Hill Primary School in Runcorn, which falls within one of the most deprived areas of the borough. The school works with local health experts to enhance health education, aligning its work with guidance for creating a 'physically active school environment' and 'fostering a culture of healthy eating'.

The report said work had been done by the school to promote healthier packed lunches and engage pupils and parents in physical activity, such as with The Daily Mile - a national endeavour to get children doing 15 minutes of exercise such as running or jogging at their own pace.

It added: "During their last health week, children invited their parents and carers to join them on their running track for The Daily Mile before school. The children were key to getting their grown-ups involved. They reported how they especially enjoy when their teachers and parents join in, showing how important role-modelling is."