Explained: England’s childhood obesity epidemic

From the NHS’ National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP) to recent findings about Complications from Excess Weight (CEW) clinics, find key information about one of the nation’s most prevalent health struggles.

Credit: Alex Green

In April this year, the Department for Education (DfE) introduced a policy proposal to reduce less healthy options on school food menus and enforce compliance with these nutrition standards. This comes at a time when childhood obesity levels are at a high, leading to poor overall wellbeing and broader societal pressures. Characterised by the NHS as a “complex issue”, obesity is a leading cause of preventable death.

This issue goes beyond the school setting; the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), which works closely with the DfE to fund preventative measures, is responsible for implementing policies in England which “help people live more independent, healthier lives for longer”. The National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP) is mandated by the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID, part of DHSC), used to “inform action to promote healthy growth and weight in children”. The 2024–2025 data reinforces that more systemic change is necessary to target the causes of childhood obesity.

The key ministerial stakeholders in the DHSC

Following a parliamentary reshuffle, as of 14th May 2026, the department Secretary of State is MP James Murray, replacing Wes Streeting. Murray has economic experience, having served in roles such as Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, and shadow Financial Secretary. Murray is now responsible for the overall financial control and oversight of NHS delivery and performance and oversight of social care policy: as the detrimental effects of obesity place strain on NHS resources, this background may be particularly influential in future DHSC efforts.

Another notable minister is MP Sharon Hodgson, appointed as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State on 3rd March 2026. Hodgson has previously actively campaigned to improve child nutrition and school meal standards, efforts aligning with broader ministerial targets — public health advocates and charities welcome the potential for this to ensure real-world change in a landscape of policy outlines.

How has childhood obesity changed over recent years?

By hovering over key points and clicking, explore this interactive chart story to learn more about England’s changing childhood obesity levels over the past 18 years.

The NCMP measures the BMI of children at reception age (aged four-five) and year six (aged 10–11), providing a projection for childhood obesity in England generally.

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Childhood obesity is physically, mentally and emotionally damaging in the long term as children progress through pivotal physical developmental stages.

Digital educational resources provided by the OHID state: “Many children experience bullying linked to their weight.

“Children living with obesity are more likely to become adults living with obesity and have a higher risk of morbidity, disability and premature mortality in adulthood”.

Following a release on the effectiveness of CEW (Complications from Excess Weight) clinics, I contacted Julian Hamilton-Shield, Professor in Diabetes and Metabolic Endocrinology and a collaborator on the research. He noted:

“Childhood-onset Type 2 diabetes is a new phenomenon, that really was not seen or described before the turn of this century. Diagnosis of Type-2 diabetes in CYP [Children and Young People] is not normal, even if there is a strong family history. It shortens life-expectancy hugely”.

Credit: Bulat Khamitov

Experts attribute the increase over the pandemic years to young people living more sedentary lives and changing eating habits, with lockdown limiting access to regular sports and recreational activities.

Having studied these effects, Professor Keith Godfrey of the University of Southampton said: “The surge in childhood obesity during the pandemic illustrates its profound impact on children’s development.

“Our projection that this will result in over £8.7 billion in additional healthcare, economic and wider social costs is hugely concerning.

“Alongside the even higher costs of the ongoing epidemic of childhood obesity, it is clear that we need more radical new policy measures”.

What are the key causes of childhood obesity?

Poor nutrition, including overeating and consuming foods classed as High in Fat, Salt and Sugar (HFSS), and a lack of exercise cause the body to store excess fat. Greater access to screens may also cause children to be less active.

Deprivation may increase the chances of becoming obese due to finances restricting access to higher-quality foods and participation in more exercise and sports — especially as the cost-of-living has risen.

The King’s Trust outlines: “Following the government’s Eatwell guideline would cost nearly three times the current average spend per person per week on food. There is also a very strong relationship between deprivation and the number of fast-food outlets in a neighbourhood”.

As of January 2026, the DHSC has implemented legislative measures restricting advertising of less healthy food and drinks, following The Advertising (Less Healthy Food Definitions and Exemptions) Regulations 2024. Samantha Field, of The Health Foundation, suggests this scope is too narrow to be fully effective, claiming it “focuses on a narrow structural driver of childhood obesity rather than comprehensively addressing the wider system failure”.

Credit: Mingche Lee

Based on her research of adult obesity, Khizra Tariq, a PHD student at the University of Salford, suggested that children living in poverty may turn to food for emotional comfort, stating “children who learn to use food to soothe or make themselves feel better could then continue this habit throughout their lives when dealing with stress”.

A lack of time may also contribute, with busy parents relying more on convenient foods which are often ultra-processed.

Generational patterns are a factor, with obese adults increasing the risk of obesity for their children: children don’t have as much of a say in what they may eat at home, leading to them picking up less healthy habits from their caregivers.

Families may fear being stigmatised and thus may be more likely to avoid accessing help and treatment. Dr Sally Fenton of University of Birmingham proposes: “Perhaps parents are reluctant to recognise their child is of an unhealthy weight for fear of being judged”.

In which areas is childhood obesity prevalence highest?

Further analysis of obesity prevalence in each Local Authority (LA) enables a comparison of how different areas fare and where resources may need to be more concentrated.

Click through this interactive story and hover over the map to see information specific to your area.

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In 2025, the Government released updated deprivation data, also providing an interactive map.

This data reveals that local authorities with the highest proportions of neighbourhoods amongst the most deprived in England are more commonly located from the Midlands-upwards. See a snapshot of the map below.

Childhood obesity prevalence shows similar patterns of distribution.

Mapped: English indices of deprivation 2025

How does obesity prevalence vary amongst different ethnic groups?

Interact with this story to compare obesity prevalence between the ethnic groups identified in the NCMP.

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Whilst LA data suggests obesity is more prevalent in deprived areas overall, the distribution of obesity amongst different ethnicities suggests that the highest levels, specifically in those who identify as coming from a Black ethnic background, may still occur in less deprived areas.

It is thought that this may be linked to variations in genetic predispositions and cultural values, beliefs and dietary habits.

Veena Raleigh, senior fellow at The King’s Fund, stated that ethnic minority groups face “a greater disease burden from diabetes and CVD (cardiovascular disease)”.

Professor Hamilton-Shield noted: “Overall, we seem to have had a far higher attendance from those living in the most deprived areas.

“27% were from the lowest decile by IMD score [areas of deprivation].

“The various ethnic minority heritages making up our communities in England are again over-represented with 40% not classifying themselves as White-British. The Black population in England are more likely to attend than those from South-Asian communities”.

When asked about accessible education around the issue, he noted:

“Some communities regard overweight in childhood as a sign of good parenting and food provision.

“Many underserved communities have a higher risk of Type 2 diabetes at far lower levels of excess weight than the White-British. They need to be aware of this and take action earlier”.

“This should be a focus of our education in these community settings”.

Treatment as well as prevention

In a report released 12th May, in the wake of the 33rd European Congress on Obesity held from 12–15th May 2026, CEW clinics have been described as improving the outcomes for CYP living with the effects of obesity.

According to the NHS, the 37 active clinics in England “use a holistic approach to treating conditions related to obesity”, considering mental health and social factors as well as physical implications.

Catering to the complexity of the issue, clinics are equipped with multi-disciplinary teams, who are able to suit the specific needs of individuals.

Particularly, “individual holistic plans” focus on: “interventions such as family-based therapy, behavioural coaching, dietary strategies, and mental health support. This aims to address health inequalities by considering culturally appropriate factors and a personalised approach”.

The clinics are part of a pilot rolled out as part of NHS England’s Long Term Plan. The DHSC say of the 10 Year Health Plan for England that they aim for three “radical shifts”: “hospital to community, analogue to digital, sickness to prevention”.

Credit: Yan Krukau

How can we continue progress?

Hamilton-Shield expressed the need for better parental support.

“I think parents do need to be aware that by early adolescence, significant overweight and its attendant complications like Type 2 diabetes, will not go away without significant changes to individual and whole family eating habits and activity levels.

“Parents addressing problems with childhood excess weight should be in pre and primary school”.

On the importance of children being involved in conversations about their weight, nutrition and exercise, Hamilton-Shield suggested:

“Discussing the CEW clinic results and building in CYP interpretations of the results and their experiences and debating them is very important as the clinics are for them”.

“ENHANCE (CEW evaluation led By Sheffield Hallam and Leeds Beckett) has major workstreams getting feedback from attendees and how they would like to see improvements to fit their specific needs”.

Going beyond this, movements such as Bite Back campaign for CYP having a greater direct say in the debate — “a youth-led movement of young people across the UK challenging School Food, Junk Food marketing and fighting for a healthier future”.

In the coming months

The DfE and OHID consultation on improving the framework for school food standards is open until 11:59pm on 12 June 2026, enabling you to provide your views.

In the meantime, amidst their reshuffle, the DHSC continues its efforts.