The pandemic has “shone a harsh light” on the issue of rising obesity in young people, the chief of NHS England has said.

Figures from the National Child Measurement Programme reveal that obesity levels among four and five-year-olds rose from 9.9% in 2019/20 to 14.4% in 2020/21.

For those aged 10 and 11 in the final year of primary school, obesity prevalence increased from 21% in 2019/20 to 25.5% in 2020/21.

In the UK, one in five children are affected by obesity and in England obesity numbers double from the start of primary school to the end of primary school.

Boys were more likely to be obese and those in poorer areas were twice as likely to be obese as their wealthier counterparts.

“Left unchecked, obesity can have other very serious consequences, ranging from diabetes to cancer,” said Amanda Pritchard, chief executive of the NHS in England.

“The pandemic has shone a harsh light on obesity – with many vulnerable young people struggling with weight gain during the pandemic,” she added.

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Her comments came as the NHS launched a pilot scheme which will see 15 specialist clinics set up to care for severely obese children and their families.

Through the clinics, children up to the age of 18 will have access to dietitians, psychologists, specialist nurses, social workers, youth workers and a children’s doctor.

It is estimated that the clinics will serve about 1,000 children a year with the possibility for further expansion if the clinics prove to be successful.

Ms Pritchard said: “This early intervention scheme aims to prevent children and young people enduring a lifetime of ill-health.”

Caroline Cerny, lead at the Obesity Health Alliance, said: “We need an intense focus on closing the gap between the most and least deprived to ensure every single child has an equal chance to grow up healthy.”

She cites a rise in confectionery sales as the heart of the problem, adding: “We need to break the junk food cycle to improve children’s health.

“Next we need the government to take stronger action to improve everyday food and drink with a levy on food companies to incentivise them to improve.”

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Boris Johnson publicly shared this concern following his experience with COVID.

Last year, he launched the government’s anti-obesity strategy that included plans for a ban on TV and online adverts for food high in fat, sugar and salt before 9pm and ending deals such as buy-one-get-one-free on unhealthy food.

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