HEALTH bosses claim they are winning the battle against childhood obesity – but admit it could take time.
Children’s heights and weights are now measured twice, when they start and leave primary school.
Latest figures from NHS North East Essex show nine per cent of youngsters in the reception class – aged four and five – are obese, compared to 8.2 per cent in 2006/7.
A further 12 per cent were found to be overweight.
In Year 6 – aged 10 and 11 – about 16 per cent were found to be obese, which was the same as the previous year, and 14 per cent were overweight.
Senior public health specialist Chris French said they had implemented initiatives but it could be years before the effects are felt.
He added 124 of the 132 schools in north-east Essex were actively involved in the national Healthy Schools programme.
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