THE number of obese children in Barnsley has decreased according to a government measurement programme.
TheNational Child Measurement Programme (NCMP) for England measures the height and weight of over one million children in England annually and provides data on the number of children in reception and Year 6 who are underweight, healthy weight, overweight or obese.
In 2016/17 - 97.8 per cent of reception (four and five year olds) and 96.6 per cent of Year 6 pupils (10 and 11 year olds) took part in the programme.
Overall, figures show that the proportion of Barnsley children in both reception (81 per cent) and Year 6 (66.per cent) who are a healthy weight is higher than regional and national averages.
The proportion of reception (16.8 per cent) and Year 6 (31.2 percent) children in Barnsley who are an excess weight is significantly lower than regional and national averages.
Cllr Jim Andrews, Cabinet Spokesperson for Public Health, said: “This is encouraging news for the whole borough. This is an important priority for Barnsley Council and work is ongoing with our partners to ensure all our children are a healthy weight.”
