In 2022/23, children from the most deprived backgrounds were more than twice as likely to be at risk of obesity than children from least deprived backgrounds (13.9% vs 6.8%). Obesity Action Scotland described this as a 'worrying' trend.
The data for the 2022/23 school year shows a slight increase in the proportion of children recorded as being a healthy weight. However, the proportion of Primary 1 children at risk of obesity remains broadly similar to before the Covid-19 pandemic.
The percentage of children at risk of developing obesity alone is now 10.5%, a decrease from 11.7% last year. Since these measurements began in 2001/02 there has been no sustained positive change in obesity prevalence.
Lorraine Tulloch, programme lead at Obesity Action Scotland, commented: “The children of Scotland deserve to have the healthiest childhood possible. The data indicates that there has been little progress, since records began in 2001, towards reducing the percentage of children starting primary school already living with obesity. Scotland’s children deserve better. Every child, no matter their background, has a right to health and the persistent inequalities gap must be addressed.
“We need to create a food environment that protects them from the unhealthy foods that are regularly put in the spotlight by manufacturers and retailers. The Scottish Government needs to intervene and urgently progress bold measures that will ensure only healthy foods achieve the spotlight. Child healthy weight matters to us all.”