One fifth of young children in Southend classed as overweight

According to The 2015 Annual Public Health Report, twenty per cent of four and five year-olds in the borough are at risk of developing health problems due to their weight.

Statistics from the National Child Measurement Programme also show that a third of ten to 11 year-olds in the borough are overweight and obese.

Southend Council has launched a new group, made up of senior councillors and officials, including chief executive Rob Tinlin, in a bid to tackle the issue.

The group first met at the end of March, with an action plan due to be published within three months.

It is expected to link obesity to deprivation.

In a council document on the issue, Andrea Atherton, the authority’s director for public health, said: “The World Health Organisation regards childhood obesity as one of the most serious global public health challenge of the 21st century.

“Obese children and adolescents are at an increased risk of developing a range of health problems and are also more likely to become obese adults.

“The 2015 Annual Public Health Report highlighted that a fifth of four to five year-olds and a third of ten to 11 year-olds in Southend are overweight or obese.

“The report also highlighted aspects of the environment of the borough which may impact on population levels of overweight and obesity, including access to green spaces and that Southend has a fast food rich environment.”

The group will initially target the six most deprived wards in the borough.

Earlier this year, the Echo revealed Southend had been named the fast food capital of Essex.

Figures gathered by the Local Government Association place the borough’s 118.8 fast food outlets per 100,000 people in a clear first place in the county- and 22nd in England.

Southend Council is stepping up its efforts to get more adults fit, with an estimated 30 per cent of people in the borough classed as “physically inactive”, costing taxpayers £5million a year in health costs.