Publication, Part of National Child Measurement Programme
National Child Measurement Programme, England, 2023/24 School Year
Official statistics, National statistics, Accredited official statistics
This publication for the 2023/24 School Year is the last to be produced by NHS England.
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) published the annual report for the 2024/25 School Year in November 2025.
4 November 2025 18:03 PM
Introduction section
Small changes have been made to the Introduction section to improve the clarity of the wording around use of growth reference data, and of population monitoring cut offs.
8 October 2025 11:23 AM
Part 2: Geography
Region
In reception, the prevalence of obesity in 2023/24 was highest in the West Midlands (10.9%), North East (10.8%) and Yorkshire and the Humber (10.7%). It was lowest in the East of England (8.4%), South East (8.6%) and South West (8.8%).
In year 6, obesity prevalence ranged from 24.5% in the North East, to 19.1% in the South West.
For 2023/24, underweight prevalence remained highest in London for both reception and year 6 at 1.9% and 2.1% respectively.
Local authority
Obesity prevalence varied by local authority.
For reception this ranged from 5.7% in Wokingham to 13.9% in Hartlepool.
In year 6 the range was from 13.3% in Richmond upon Thames, to 31.0% in Sandwell.
Note the maps cannot be compared with each other due to the different ranges used.
For more information: Table 3b UTLA, National Child Measurement Programme: England, 2023/24 school year.
ONS Area Classification
In reception obesity prevalence was highest in disadvantaged urban communities (12.8%) and lowest in urban fringe areas (6.9%). In year 6, obesity prevalence was highest in disadvantaged urban communities (27.9%) and multicultural city life areas (27.6%). It was again lowest in urban fringe areas (15.5%).
Underweight prevalence was highest in multicultural city life areas for both age groups: 2.4% for reception and 2.4% for year 6.
For more information: Table 7a, National Child Measurement Programme, England, 2023/24 school year.
ONS Area classifications use census data to identify areas of the country with similar characteristics. For further details see:
Last edited: 4 November 2025 6:03 pm