New analysis by the Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH) suggests that obesity rates among children will rise in 90% of local authority areas in England over the next decade.
Currently, 36% of Year 6 pupils in England are living with overweight or obesity. By 2035, that figure is projected to rise to 41% nationally — and to over 50% in nine areas, including Blackpool, Knowsley, and Newham.
These figures present a serious public health challenge. Without urgent action, we risk long-term consequences for children’s health and increasing pressure on already stretched health and social care services.
At the Association for the Study of Obesity (ASO), we support action that reflects the complexity of obesity, recognising its structural drivers and the urgent need for prevention-focused, evidence-based policy. This important analysis adds to a growing body of evidence, and we remain committed to working with colleagues across research, policy, and practice to help shift the trajectory.
Read the full RSPH report: Playground Rules: The State of Childhood Obesity in England
