New data from the NHS in England shows a slight decrease in childhood obesity rates. However, the overall proportion of overweight and obese 10 and 11-year-olds remains higher than pre-pandemic levels. The news is slightly better for four and five-year-olds, with obesity levels now lower than in 2018-19. It is important to note that children living in the most deprived areas of England are more likely to be obese than those in more affluent regions. The National Child Measurement Programme measures the height and weight of children in Reception class (aged four to five) and Year 6 (aged 10 to 11) to assess overweight and obesity levels in primary school children.
In Year 6, obesity rates fell from 23.4% in 2021-22 to 22.7% in 2022-23, which is still higher than the pre-pandemic level of 21%. Meanwhile, the prevalence of obesity in Reception-aged children fell from 10.1% to 9.2% during the same period. This is lower than the rates in 2018-19 and 2019-20, indicating a continued decline in obesity levels.
When considering factors of wealth, the data reveals that obesity levels are higher in deprived areas. In the most deprived areas, 12.4% of Reception children were obese, compared to 5.8% in the least deprived areas. For Year 6 children, the difference is even more significant, with obesity levels at 30.2% in the most deprived areas and 13.1% in the least deprived areas. Dr. Mike McKean, vice-president for Policy at the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, describes these findings as “unacceptable” and highlights the increased risk of chronic illnesses, mental health issues, and shorter lifespans for overweight children.
The government has expressed its commitment to reducing childhood obesity rates by 2030 and welcomes the decrease in obesity prevalence among primary school children. They are investing £320 million annually in school sports to promote healthier lifestyles through physical activity. Additionally, schemes like Healthy Start encourage a healthy diet for families from lower-income households. However, Dr. McKean also points out a small but notable rise in underweight Year 6 children, which he attributes to food insecurity and poverty.
The data also reveals gender and geographic differences in obesity rates. Boys are more likely to be overweight than girls, and the highest rates of obesity in Year 6 children were found in the North East, West Midlands, and London, while the lowest rates were in the South West and South East.
In conclusion, while there has been a slight decrease in childhood obesity rates in England, the overall levels remain higher than before the pandemic. The data highlights the link between obesity and deprivation, with children in the most deprived areas being at a higher risk. Efforts to address childhood obesity are ongoing, but there is still work to be done to
Original news source: Childhood obesity shows slight fall in England (BBC)
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Group or Classroom Activities
Warm-up Activities:
– News Summary
Instructions: In pairs or small groups, have students read the article and summarize the main points in their own words. They should focus on the decrease in childhood obesity rates, the differences between age groups and regions, the impact of deprivation, and the government’s efforts to address the issue. After they have summarized, have them share their summaries with the class and discuss any differences or additional insights.
– Opinion Poll
Instructions: Divide the class into small groups and give each group a set of statements related to childhood obesity and the government’s efforts to address it. For example, “Investing in school sports is an effective way to reduce childhood obesity” or “Childhood obesity rates are primarily caused by individual choices and lack of personal responsibility.” Have each group discuss the statements and indicate whether they agree or disagree, then present their opinions to the class. Encourage them to support their opinions with evidence or personal experiences.
– Word Association
Instructions: Write the word “obesity” on the board and have students brainstorm related words or phrases. Then, ask students to choose one of the words or phrases and explain its connection to childhood obesity. For example, if someone chooses “lifestyle,” they could discuss how unhealthy eating habits and lack of physical activity contribute to obesity. Encourage students to think creatively and make connections beyond the obvious.
– Sketch It
Instructions: Divide the class into pairs or small groups and give each group a sheet of paper and markers. Instruct them to create a visual representation of the main ideas and themes in the article. They can draw pictures, symbols, or diagrams to convey their understanding. After they have finished, have each group present their sketches to the class and explain the meaning behind their choices.
– Pros and Cons
Instructions: Have students work individually or in pairs to create a list of pros and cons related to childhood obesity and the government’s efforts to address it. They should consider factors such as the impact on individual health, the burden on healthcare systems, and the effectiveness of current interventions. After they have completed their lists, have a class discussion where students share and debate their points of view.
Comprehension Questions:
1. What age groups are included in the National Child Measurement Programme?
2. How have obesity rates changed for Year 6 children from 2021-22 to 2022-23?
3. Are obesity levels higher in deprived areas or more affluent regions?
4. What are some potential health risks for overweight children, according to Dr. Mike McKean?
5. What is the government’s goal for reducing childhood obesity rates?
6. How much money is the government investing annually in school sports?
7. What factors does Dr. McKean attribute the rise in underweight Year 6 children to?
8. Which regions in England have the highest and lowest rates of obesity in Year 6 children?
Go to answers ⇩
Listen and Fill in the Gaps:
New data from the NHS in England shows a slight decrease in (1)______ obesity rates. However, the overall proportion of overweight and obese 10 and 11-year-olds remains higher than pre-pandemic levels. The news is slightly better for four and five-year-olds, with obesity levels now (2)______ than in 2018-19. It is important to note that children living in the most deprived areas of England are more likely to be obese than those in more (3)______ regions. The National Child Measurement Programme measures the height and weight of children in Reception class (aged four to five) and Year 6 (aged 10 to 11) to assess overweight and obesity levels in (4)______ school children.
In Year 6, obesity rates fell from 23.4% in 2021-22 to 22.7% in 2022-23, which is still (5)______ than the pre-pandemic level of 21%. Meanwhile, the prevalence of (6)______ in Reception-aged (7)______ fell from 10.1% to 9.2% during the same period. This is lower than the rates in 2018-19 and 2019-20, indicating a continued decline in obesity (8)______.
When considering factors of wealth, the data reveals that obesity levels are higher in deprived areas. In the most deprived areas, 12.4% of Reception children were obese, compared to 5.8% in the least deprived areas. For Year 6 children, the difference is even more significant, with obesity levels at 30.2% in the most deprived areas and 13.1% in the least deprived areas. Dr. Mike McKean, vice-president for Policy at the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, describes these findings as “unacceptable” and highlights the increased risk of (9)______ illnesses, mental health issues, and shorter lifespans for overweight children.
The (10)______ has expressed its commitment to (11)______ childhood obesity rates by 2030 and welcomes the decrease in obesity prevalence among primary school children. They are investing £320 million annually in school sports to promote healthier lifestyles through physical activity. Additionally, schemes like Healthy Start (12)______ a healthy diet for families from lower-income households. However, Dr. McKean also points out a small but notable rise in underweight Year 6 children, which he attributes to food insecurity and poverty.
The data also reveals (13)______ and geographic differences in obesity rates. Boys are more likely to be (14)______ than (15)______, and the highest rates of obesity in Year 6 children were found in the North East, West Midlands, and London, while the lowest rates were in the South West and South East.
In conclusion, while there has been a slight (16)______ in childhood obesity rates in England, the overall levels remain higher than before the pandemic. The data highlights the link between obesity and deprivation, with children in the most deprived areas being at a higher risk. Efforts to address childhood obesity are ongoing, but there is still work to be done to
Go to answers ⇩
Discussion Questions:
Students can ask a partner these questions, or discuss them as a group.
1. What is your opinion on the slight decrease in childhood obesity rates in England?
2. How would you feel if you were a child living in a deprived area with a higher risk of obesity?
3. Do you think the government’s investment in school sports and healthy eating programs will effectively reduce childhood obesity rates? Why or why not?
4. Why do you think boys are more likely to be overweight than girls?
5. How do you think the pandemic has impacted childhood obesity rates?
6. Do you think the decrease in childhood obesity rates is a significant improvement or just a small change?
7. What measures do you think should be taken to further reduce childhood obesity levels?
8. How would you feel if you were a parent of an underweight Year 6 child? Do you think food insecurity and poverty are the main factors contributing to this rise in underweight children?
9. Why do you think obesity levels are higher in deprived areas compared to more affluent regions?
10. Do you think the government should allocate more funding to address childhood obesity? Why or why not?
11. How do you think childhood obesity rates in England compare to rates in other countries?
12. What role do you think schools should play in addressing childhood obesity?
13. Do you think the media has an influence on childhood obesity? Why or why not?
14. How would you feel if your child’s school did not prioritize physical activity and healthy eating?
15. What actions can individuals take to prevent childhood obesity?
Individual Activities
Vocabulary Meanings:
Match each word to its meaning.
Words:
1. childhood
2. overweight
3. levels
4. deprived
5. obesity
6. decrease
7. data
8. children
Meanings:
(a) Information or facts collected for analysis
(b) The state or degree of something
(c) The state of being excessively fat or overweight
(d) The state of being below a healthy weight
(e) The state of lacking the necessities of life
(f) The state of being above a healthy weight
(g) The state of being reduced or lessened
(h) The state of being young
Go to answers ⇩
Multiple Choice Questions:
1. According to the article, what age group has seen a decrease in obesity levels?
(a) Four and five-year-olds
(b) Six and seven-year-olds
(c) Eight and nine-year-olds
(d) Twelve and thirteen-year-olds
2. What is the National Child Measurement Programme?
(a) A program that measures the height and weight of secondary school children in England
(b) A program that measures the height and weight of primary school children in England
(c) A program that measures the height and weight of children in Scotland
(d) A program that measures the height and weight of children in Wales
3. What percentage of Year 6 children were obese in 2022-23?
(a) 23.4%
(b) 21%
(c) 22.7%
(d) 10.1%
4. According to the data, where are obesity levels higher?
(a) Affluent areas
(b) Rural areas
(c) Deprived areas
(d) Urban areas
5. What is one potential consequence of childhood obesity mentioned in the article?
(a) Chronic illnesses
(b) Improved mental health
(c) Longer lifespans
(d) Decreased risk of disease
6. What is the government’s goal for reducing childhood obesity rates?
(a) By 2025
(b) By 2030
(c) By 2040
(d) There is no specific goal mentioned
7. What is one initiative mentioned in the article to promote healthier lifestyles?
(a) Investing in school arts programs
(b) Investing in school technology
(c) Investing in school transportation
(d) Investing in school sports
8. Which region had the highest rates of obesity in Year 6 children?
(a) South West
(b) South East
(c) West Midlands
(d) North East
True or False Questions:
1. Childhood obesity rates in England have slightly increased, but are still lower than pre-pandemic levels.
2. Children living in the most deprived areas of England are more likely to be obese.
3. Boys are more likely to be overweight than girls, and obesity rates vary by region in England.
4. Obesity levels are higher in deprived areas, with a significant difference between the most and least deprived areas.
5. The government is investing £320 million annually in school sports to promote healthier lifestyles.
6. The prevalence of obesity in Reception-aged children rose from 10.1% to 9.2%.
7. Obesity levels in four and five-year-olds are now higher than in 2018-19.
8. In Year 6, obesity rates increased from 23.4% to 22.7%.
Go to answers ⇩
Write a Summary:
Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.
Writing Questions:
Answer the following questions. Write as much as you can for each answer.
1. What is the overall trend in childhood obesity rates in England according to the new data from the NHS?
2. How do the obesity rates for four and five-year-olds compare to previous years?
3. What is the difference in obesity rates between children living in the most deprived areas and those in more affluent regions?
4. What is the government doing to address childhood obesity rates in England?
5. What are some of the gender and geographic differences in childhood obesity rates according to the data?
Answers
Comprehension Question Answers:
1. What age groups are included in the National Child Measurement Programme?
The National Child Measurement Programme includes children in Reception class (aged four to five) and Year 6 (aged 10 to 11).
2. How have obesity rates changed for Year 6 children from 2021-22 to 2022-23?
Obesity rates for Year 6 children decreased from 23.4% in 2021-22 to 22.7% in 2022-23.
3. Are obesity levels higher in deprived areas or more affluent regions?
Obesity levels are higher in deprived areas. In the most deprived areas, obesity levels were 12.4% for Reception children and 30.2% for Year 6 children. In the least deprived areas, obesity levels were 5.8% for Reception children and 13.1% for Year 6 children.
4. What are some potential health risks for overweight children, according to Dr. Mike McKean?
According to Dr. Mike McKean, potential health risks for overweight children include chronic illnesses, mental health issues, and shorter lifespans.
5. What is the government’s goal for reducing childhood obesity rates?
The government’s goal is to reduce childhood obesity rates by 2030.
6. How much money is the government investing annually in school sports?
The government is investing £320 million annually in school sports.
7. What factors does Dr. McKean attribute the rise in underweight Year 6 children to?
Dr. McKean attributes the rise in underweight Year 6 children to food insecurity and poverty.
8. Which regions in England have the highest and lowest rates of obesity in Year 6 children?
The highest rates of obesity in Year 6 children were found in the North East, West Midlands, and London. The lowest rates were in the South West and South East.
Go back to questions ⇧
Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:
(1) childhood
(2) lower
(3) affluent
(4) primary
(5) higher
(6) obesity
(7) children
(8) levels
(9) chronic
(10) government
(11) reducing
(12) encourage
(13) gender
(14) overweight
(15) girls
(16) decrease
Go back to questions ⇧
Vocabulary Meanings Answers:
1. childhood
Answer: (f) The state of being above a healthy weight
2. overweight
Answer: (e) The state of lacking the necessities of life
3. levels
Answer: (c) The state of being excessively fat or overweight
4. deprived
Answer: (d) The state of being below a healthy weight
5. obesity
Answer: (h) The state of being young
6. decrease
Answer: (g) The state of being reduced or lessened
7. data
Answer: (a) Information or facts collected for analysis
8. children
Answer: (b) The state or degree of something
Go back to questions ⇧
Multiple Choice Answers:
1. According to the article, what age group has seen a decrease in obesity levels?
Answer: (a) Four and five-year-olds
2. What is the National Child Measurement Programme?
Answer: (b) A program that measures the height and weight of primary school children in England
3. What percentage of Year 6 children were obese in 2022-23?
Answer: (c) 22.7%
4. According to the data, where are obesity levels higher?
Answer: (c) Deprived areas
5. What is one potential consequence of childhood obesity mentioned in the article?
Answer: (a) Chronic illnesses
6. What is the government’s goal for reducing childhood obesity rates?
Answer: (b) By 2030
7. What is one initiative mentioned in the article to promote healthier lifestyles?
Answer: (d) Investing in school sports
8. Which region had the highest rates of obesity in Year 6 children?
Answer: (d) North East
Go back to questions ⇧
True or False Answers:
1. Childhood obesity rates in England have slightly increased, but are still lower than pre-pandemic levels. (Answer: False)
2. Children living in the most deprived areas of England are more likely to be obese. (Answer: True)
3. Boys are more likely to be overweight than girls, and obesity rates vary by region in England. (Answer: True)
4. Obesity levels are higher in deprived areas, with a significant difference between the most and least deprived areas. (Answer: True)
5. The government is investing £320 million annually in school sports to promote healthier lifestyles. (Answer: True)
6. The prevalence of obesity in Reception-aged children rose from 10.1% to 9.2%. (Answer: False)
7. Obesity levels in four and five-year-olds are now higher than in 2018-19. (Answer: False)
8. In Year 6, obesity rates increased from 23.4% to 22.7%. (Answer: False)
Go back to questions ⇧
