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England's healthiest kids
Jun 24, 2008
IT'S official – Teesdale children are the healthiest in England.
A new study has revealed the dale’s five-year-olds are the least obese in the country.
Compared to figures from school starters in Hackney, east London, where one in six children is clinically obese, only one in 20 suffer the same health problem in Teesdale.
Nationally, 10.7 per cent of reception class children are obese, compared to 4.9 per cent of Teesdale five-year-olds.
Obesity in young children is a growing problem and the condition can increase the chances of developing medical conditions later in life, such as diabetes, heart disease and cancer.
The figures were released as part of the Health Profiles in England, which gives a breakdown, by county, local authority or region, for a range of 23 measurements such as life expectancy, binge drinking and physical activity at school.
Howard Blindt, headteacher at Gainford Primary School, which has just won a healthy status award, said: “I’m not surprised but I am delighted.
"I think it’s something to celebrate that Teesdale is leading the way for the rest of the country.
“Our school has held the healthy schools status since 2002 and I know that our pupils are eating healthily and are active.
“It is also my belief that this is reflective of their home circumstances and that they have a good diet and the opportunity to do further physical activities outside of school.”
Teesdale District Council’s lead member for health, Cllr Keith Stansfield, said: “The news that Teesdale has the country’s least obese reception age children is very welcome.
“We work very hard with a range of partner organisations including the Primary Care Trust and our local schools to encourage an active and healthy lifestyle and provide a range of activities for young people to enjoy, which we hope they will continue as they get older.”