Almost one in three ten and 11-year-olds in Brighton and Hove are either overweight or obese.

Latest figures show that out of 9,812 Year 6 pupils tested in the city, 30.2% were not a healthy weight.

Just over 20% of four and five year olds are also at risk from serious health problems by being heavier than they should be.

Being overweight means children could develop conditions including diabetes, heart disease, strokes, depression, cancer and arthritis in the future.

The actual figure could be higher as the information is based on children weighed at the start of the school year as part of the National Child Measurement Programme.

Health bosses say the numbers show a slight decline on the year before.

However they admit more work needs to be done.

Brighton and Hove public health development manager Lydie Lawrence said: “These figures, which indicate that the percentage of overweight and obese children in Brighton and Hove is falling, are encouraging.

“However, it is too early to say whether this is a trend and there are still too many children in the city who are overweight or obese and at risk of serious health consequences in later life because of this.

“NHS Brighton and Hove, the city council and other local organisations work together to offer a range of activities which encourage children to eat well and become more physically active.

“We also run a nine-week programme called MEND for children and families who need extra support to increase fitness levels and maintain a healthy weight.”

In East Sussex, 21.6% of reception year children are above a healthy weight while the figure rises to 30.7% for Year 6 pupils.

In Hastings and Rother, 19.5% of four and five year olds are overweight or obese and 33.9% of Year 6 students are an unhealthy weight.

In West Sussex, 30.75% of ten and 11 year olds are overweight or obese and the figure for reception pupils is 20.1%.

In East and West Sussex, the percentage of overweight four and five year olds has dropped slightly but the number of Year 6 students heavier than they should be has risen.

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