One in Five Children Leaving Primary School Is Obese

In England’s 2024/25 National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP), 22.2% of Year 6 children and 10.5% of Reception children were living with obesity. The programme measures children in mainstream state-maintained primary schools, rather than all children across the UK.

Childhood weight is influenced by several social, environmental, biological and behavioural factors. The statistics describe population patterns; they do not determine an individual child’s future. Reviewed 15 October 2026, using the latest published NCMP annual report.

Key Facts & Figures (Overview)

  • 22.2% of Year 6 children in England were living with obesity in 2024/25.
  • 62.2% of Year 6 children were in the healthy-weight category.
  • 5.6% of Year 6 children had severe obesity, included within the obesity total.
  • 10.5% of Reception children were living with obesity.
  • 75.4% of Reception children were in the healthy-weight category.
  • A 2024 UCL study found UPFs supplied 59% of energy at age seven in its cohort; this was not the percentage of children who ate UPFs.
  • UK children’s mean free-sugar intake was 10.5% of energy in the 2019–23 NDNS, against a maximum recommendation of 5%.
  • Only 9% of children in the 2019–23 NDNS met the free-sugar recommendation.
  • The NCMP measured 1,145,893 children in England in 2024/25.
  • 26.5% of pupils in England’s January 2026 school census were eligible for free school meals.
  • England’s free school meal expansion to Universal Credit households took effect for the 2026/27 school year.

The Deprivation Gap

NCMP results show a clear association between neighbourhood deprivation and childhood obesity. This is a population association and does not identify the cause of an individual child’s weight.

In 2024/25, Year 6 obesity prevalence was 29.3% in the most deprived tenth of areas and 13.5% in the least deprived tenth. The corresponding Reception figures were 14.0% and 6.9%.

Access to suitable food, opportunities for activity and support for families all matter. Statistics should be used to plan support without blaming children or treating later ill health as inevitable.

Ethnic Disparities

The NCMP also reports differences between ethnic groups. These broad categories contain diverse communities, and comparisons do not establish that culture or ethnicity causes obesity.

The 2024/25 report examines trends as well as current prevalence:

  • In Year 6, obesity prevalence showed an increasing long-term trend in most ethnic groups.
  • No significant Year 6 trend was detected for the Chinese and White Irish groups in that analysis.
  • Reception trends differed between ethnic groups rather than showing one uniform pattern.
  • The report’s trend periods and statistical uncertainty should be considered when comparing groups.

Services should respond to individual needs and local evidence. A broad group average should not be used to make assumptions about a child’s diet, family or health.

Diet and Childhood Obesity

A UCL study published in 2024 followed a UK twin cohort born in 2007–08. UPFs supplied an average 47% of energy at 21 months and 59% at age seven. These are results from a particular cohort and historical diet records, not a current survey of every UK child.

The 2019–23 NDNS found children’s average free-sugar intake above the recommended maximum of 5% of energy. Free sugars include added sugar and sugars in honey, syrups, juice and smoothies; sugars in intact fruit and plain milk are treated differently.

A varied diet with fruit, vegetables and fibre-rich foods supports health. SACN recommends limiting foods and drinks high in free sugars, saturated fat and salt; processing labels alone do not describe every product’s nutritional value.

Packed lunches and school meals can both vary in quality. Plan varied food that supports nutrition and individual needs, with appropriate allergen information and safe preparation and storage.

School Food and Childhood Obesity

Schools play a critical role in shaping children's dietary habits and preventing obesity. However, implementation of school food standards varies considerably, and many schools lack resources to provide truly nutritious meals.

England’s school food standards set requirements for food provided at school. The government published its response to revised standards in September 2026, with the new regulations due to take effect from September 2027.

The January 2026 free school meal figure of 26.5% covers pupils across the census, not primary pupils alone. From the 2026/27 school year, children in Universal Credit households in England are eligible regardless of household earnings, subject to application and verification.

England began the national rollout of free breakfast clubs in April 2026. Participating schools must follow the programme guidance and applicable school food standards.

School food policy is one part of supporting children’s health. The current standards and the planned September 2027 changes should be distinguished when designing menus.

Written by Food Safety Experts

This article was written by the team at Level 2 Food Hygiene, specialists in food safety training and compliance.

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Mark McShane
Mark McShane
Health & Safety Training Specialist, Online CPD Academy

Mark writes about food safety, food hygiene and accredited online training for Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate, part of Online CPD Academy.