New figures show the obesity rate among York children doubles from reception to Year 6.
Altogether 8.5% of York reception age children are clinically obese. That is lower than the national average (9.6%).
But the figure increases to 16.1% among year 6 children (the national average is 20%).
A report to the City of York Council Health and Wellbeing board also noted significant variations in obesity rates by location. It states:
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There is considerable variation by ward, where obesity rates are 2.5 times higher in the most deprived wards compared with the least deprived.
Obesity rates are also significantly higher for boys in year 6 compared with girls and significantly higher for reception aged children from ethnic minorities.
Childhood Obesity Rates and Deprivation in York by Ward 2013/14 to 2015/16
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| Ward | % of obese reception year children | % of obese Year 6 children | IMD Deprivation Score: (higher numbers indicate greater deprivation) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Westfield | 8.7% | 20.9% | 25.6 |
| Clifton | 8.1% | 18.6% | 24.3 |
| Guildhall | 9.90% | 18.3% | 16.7 |
| Heworth | 7.8% | 17.8% | 16.7 |
| Micklegate | 8.7% | 11.8% | 14.9 |
| Hull Road | 11.3% | 20.3% | 14.6 |
| Holgate | 8.9% | 16% | 13.7 |
| Acomb | 11.6% | 15% | 12.6 |
| Huntington and New Earswick | 7.7% | 16.1% | |
| Dringhouses and Woodthorpe | 7.6% | 15.2% | 9.5 |
| Fishergate | 9.1% | 9.3% | 9.3 |
| Strensall | 4.2% | 13.4% | 7.1 |
| Rawcliffe-and Clifton Without | 6.4% | 17.3% | 7 |
| Osbaldwick and Derwent | 8.1% | 13.4% | 6.6 |
| Rural West York | 6.6% | 11% | 6.5 |
| Fulford and Heslington | 7.8% | 15.8% | 5.9 |
| Bishopthorpe | 4.4% | 7.8% | 5.5 |
| Heworth Without | 6.7% | 16.5% | 5.2 |
| Haxby and Wigginton | 5.3% | 12% | 4.8 |
| Wheldrake | 6.4% | 12.1% | 4.3 |
| York average | 7.8% | 15.2% | 12.2 |
Big city
The report also details adult obesty rates in York.
Nearly six out of ten adults in the city are estimated to be overweight or obese (59.4%), close to the national average (61.3%).
The board says physical activity levels in the city are good.
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Compared with England and similar local authority neighbours, children in York engage in high levels (60 minutes or more) physical activity every day.
This is mostly attributable to physical activity performed outside of school.
For adults in York, physical activity has increase in recent years to 72% by 2016/17. More adults walk once a week or cycle three times a week than those in similar authority areas.
The board has set out a healthy weight strategy. You can read the full report here.