New information from the NHS in England shows that the number of kids who are obese has gone down a little bit. But, there are still more kids who are overweight or obese compared to before the pandemic. The news is a bit better for kids who are four or five years old, as there are now fewer of them who are obese compared to 2018-19. It’s important to know that kids who live in poorer areas of England are more likely to be obese than those in richer areas. The National Child Measurement Programme measures how tall and heavy kids are in Reception class (when they’re four or five) and Year 6 (when they’re 10 or 11) to see how many kids in primary school are overweight or obese.

In Year 6, the number of kids who are obese went down from 23.4% in 2021-22 to 22.7% in 2022-23, but it’s still higher than before the pandemic when it was 21%. For kids in Reception, the number of obese kids went down from 10.1% to 9.2% during the same time. This is lower than the rates in 2018-19 and 2019-20, which means that obesity levels are still going down.

When we look at how rich or poor an area is, we see that more kids are obese in poorer areas. In the poorest areas, 12.4% of Reception kids were obese, compared to 5.8% in the richest areas. For Year 6 kids, the difference is even bigger. In the poorest areas, 30.2% of kids were obese, compared to 13.1% in the richest areas. Dr. Mike McKean, who works at the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, says that these findings are not good and that overweight kids are more likely to have long-term illnesses, mental health problems, and shorter lives.

The government says that they want to reduce the number of kids who are obese by 2030 and they’re happy that there are fewer obese kids in primary school. They’re spending £320 million every year on sports in schools to encourage kids to be more active and have healthier lives. They also have programs like Healthy Start to help families with less money eat healthier. But, Dr. McKean also says that there are a small number of Year 6 kids who are underweight, which he thinks is because they don’t have enough food and are poor.

The data also shows that there are differences between boys and girls and where they live. Boys are more likely to be overweight than girls, and the highest rates of obesity in Year 6 kids were found in the North East, West Midlands, and London. The lowest rates were in the South West and South East.

In conclusion, even though there are fewer kids who are obese in England, there are still more than before the pandemic.

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:
1. Divide the class into pairs or small groups.
2. Provide each group with a copy of the article.
3. Instruct the groups to read the article and summarize the main points in a news report format.
4. Each group will present their news summary to the class, focusing on the key information and statistics about child obesity in England.

– Opinion Poll
Instructions:
1. Divide the class into pairs or small groups.
2. Instruct each group to come up with a list of questions related to child obesity and its impact on health and society.
3. Each group will then conduct an opinion poll, asking their classmates the questions and recording their responses.
4. After collecting the data, each group will present their findings and lead a class discussion on the topic of child obesity.

– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions:
1. Write down a list of vocabulary words from the article on small slips of paper.
2. Divide the class into two teams.
3. One member from each team will come to the front of the class and choose a slip of paper.
4. Without speaking, they must draw a picture to represent the word on the slip of paper.
5. Their team members must try to guess the word based on the drawing.
6. The team that guesses the most words correctly within a set time limit wins the game.

– Speed Summarizing
Instructions:
1. Divide the class into pairs.
2. Provide each pair with a copy of the article.
3. Instruct the students to take turns summarizing the article to their partner, aiming to do so in one minute or less.
4. After each round, the pairs will switch roles and summarize the article again.
5. Encourage students to focus on the main points and key information while summarizing quickly and effectively.

– Two Truths and a Lie
Instructions:
1. Instruct each student to come up with two true statements and one false statement related to child obesity, based on the information in the article.
2. Divide the class into small groups.
3. Each student will take turns sharing their three statements with their group.
4. The group members must discuss and guess which statement is the false one.
5. After each round, reveal the false statement and allow for a brief discussion on the topic.

Comprehension Questions:

1. What does the new information from the NHS show about the number of kids who are obese?
2. How does the number of kids who are overweight or obese now compare to before the pandemic?
3. Are there fewer kids who are obese in the four or five-year-old age group compared to 2018-19?
4. What is the relationship between living in poorer areas of England and obesity rates in kids?
5. What does the National Child Measurement Programme measure in kids?
6. Did the percentage of kids who are obese in Year 6 decrease or increase from 2021-22 to 2022-23?
7. How does the current percentage of obese kids in Year 6 compare to before the pandemic?
8. According to Dr. Mike McKean, what are some potential consequences of being overweight as a child?
Go to answers ⇩

Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

New information from the NHS in England shows that the number of kids who are (1)______ has gone down a little bit. But, there are still more kids who are overweight or obese compared to before the pandemic. The news is a bit (2)______ for kids who are four or five (3)______ old, as there are now fewer of them who are obese compared to 2018-19. It’s important to know that kids who live in poorer (4)______ of England are more likely to be obese than those in richer areas. The National Child Measurement Programme measures how tall and heavy kids are in Reception class (when they’re four or five) and Year 6 (when they’re 10 or 11) to see how many kids in primary (5)______ are overweight or obese.

In Year 6, the (6)______ of kids who are obese went down from 23.4% in 2021-22 to 22.7% in 2022-23, but it’s still higher than before the pandemic when it was 21%. For kids in Reception, the number of obese kids went down from 10.1% to 9.2% during the same time. This is lower than the (7)______ in 2018-19 and 2019-20, which means that obesity levels are still going down.

When we look at how rich or poor an area is, we see that more kids are obese in poorer areas. In the poorest areas, 12.4% of Reception kids were obese, compared to 5.8% in the richest areas. For Year 6 kids, the (8)______ is even bigger. In the poorest areas, 30.2% of kids were obese, compared to 13.1% in the richest areas. Dr. Mike McKean, who works at the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, says that these findings are not good and that overweight kids are more likely to have long-term illnesses, mental (9)______ problems, and shorter lives.

The government says that they want to reduce the number of kids who are obese by 2030 and they’re happy that there are fewer obese kids in primary school. They’re spending £320 million every year on (10)______ in (11)______ to encourage kids to be more active and have healthier lives. They also have (12)______ like Healthy Start to help (13)______ with less money eat healthier. But, Dr. McKean also says that there are a small number of Year 6 kids who are underweight, which he thinks is because they don’t have enough food and are poor.

The data also shows that there are (14)______ between boys and girls and where they live. Boys are more likely to be (15)______ than girls, and the highest rates of obesity in Year 6 kids were found in the North East, West Midlands, and London. The (16)______ rates were in the South West and South East.

In conclusion, even though there are fewer kids who are obese in England, there are still more than before the pandemic.
Go to answers ⇩

Discussion Questions:

Students can ask a partner these questions, or discuss them as a group.

1. What is the National Child Measurement Programme and what does it measure?
2. How would you feel if you were a child who was overweight or obese?
3. Do you like participating in sports and being active? Why or why not?
4. Do you think it’s fair that kids who live in poorer areas are more likely to be obese? Why or why not?
5. Why do you think there are fewer kids who are obese in primary school now compared to before the pandemic?
6. How would you feel if you were a Year 6 kid who was underweight because you didn’t have enough food?
7. What do you think the government can do to reduce the number of kids who are obese?
8. Do you think it’s important for schools to have sports programs to encourage kids to be active? Why or why not?
9. How do you think being overweight or obese can affect a person’s mental health?
10. Why do you think boys are more likely to be overweight than girls?
11. How do you think being overweight or obese can affect a person’s life expectancy?
12. What do you think can be done to help families with less money eat healthier?
13. How would you feel if you found out that your area had a high rate of obesity?
14. Do you think it’s important for parents to teach their children about healthy eating habits? Why or why not?
15. Why do you think the rates of obesity are higher in certain regions of England compared to others?

Individual Activities

Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. obese
2. overweight
3. pandemic
4. Reception
5. rates
6. poorer
7. active
8. conclusion

Meanings:
(a) Very fat or overweight
(b) The numbers or percentages of something
(c) The final result or outcome
(d) Having less money or resources
(e) A global outbreak of a disease
(f) Engaging in physical activity or exercise
(g) Heavier than what is considered healthy for your height
(h) The first year of primary school
Go to answers ⇩

Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What does the new information from the NHS show about the number of obese kids in England?
(a) It has gone down a little bit
(b) It has increased significantly
(c) It has stayed the same
(d) It is not mentioned in the article

2. Which age group has seen a decrease in the number of obese kids compared to 2018-19?
(a) Ten or eleven-year-olds
(b) Four or five-year-olds
(c) Both age groups
(d) Neither age group

3. Where are kids more likely to be obese in England?
(a) Richer areas
(b) It is not mentioned in the article
(c) There is no difference between areas
(d) Poorer areas

4. What percentage of Year 6 kids were obese in 2022-23?
(a) 22.7%
(b) 23.4%
(c) 21%
(d) 9.2%

5. According to Dr. Mike McKean, what are the potential consequences of being overweight as a child?
(a) Better overall health and well-being
(b) No significant impact on health
(c) Long-term illnesses, mental health problems, and shorter lives
(d) It is not mentioned in the article

6. What is the government’s goal regarding childhood obesity?
(a) To increase the number of obese kids by 2030
(b) To reduce the number of obese kids by 2030
(c) To keep the number of obese kids the same by 2030
(d) It is not mentioned in the article

7. What is the government doing to encourage kids to be more active and have healthier lives?
(a) Spending £320 million every year on junk food in schools
(b) Spending £320 million every year on video games for kids
(c) Spending £320 million every year on sports in schools
(d) It is not mentioned in the article

8. Which regions in England have the highest rates of obesity in Year 6 kids?
(a) South West and South East
(b) It is not mentioned in the article
(c) All regions have similar rates of obesity
(d) North East, West Midlands, and London

Go to answers ⇩

True or False Questions:

1. The number of kids who are obese in England has decreased slightly, but there are still more kids who are overweight or obese compared to before the pandemic.
2. Children living in poorer areas of England are more likely to be obese than those in wealthier areas.
3. Obesity rates are not higher in poorer areas, with 12.4% of Reception kids and 30.2% of Year 6 kids in the poorest areas being obese.
4. The National Child Measurement Programme measures the height and weight of kids in Reception class and Year 6 to determine obesity rates in primary schools.
5. The percentage of obese kids in Year 6 has not decreased from 23.4% in 2021-22 to 22.7% in 2022-23, and it is still not higher than pre-pandemic levels.
6. Kids who are four or five years old have not seen a decrease in obesity rates compared to 2018-19.
7. The government does not aim to reduce childhood obesity by 2030 and is not investing in sports programs and initiatives like Healthy Start to promote healthier lifestyles.
8. The percentage of obese kids in Reception has decreased from 10.1% to 9.2% during the same time period, indicating a continued decline in obesity levels.
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 does the new information from the NHS in England show about the number of kids who are obese?
2. How does the number of obese kids in Year 6 compare to before the pandemic?
3. What is the difference in obesity rates between kids in poorer areas and kids in richer areas?
4. What are some potential problems that overweight kids may face?
5. What is the government doing to try and reduce the number of kids who are obese?

Answers

Comprehension Question Answers:

1. The new information from the NHS shows that the number of kids who are obese has gone down a little bit.
2. There are still more kids who are overweight or obese compared to before the pandemic.
3. Yes, there are now fewer four or five-year-olds who are obese compared to 2018-19.
4. Kids who live in poorer areas of England are more likely to be obese than those in richer areas.
5. The National Child Measurement Programme measures how tall and heavy kids are in Reception class and Year 6 to see how many kids in primary school are overweight or obese.
6. The percentage of kids who are obese in Year 6 decreased from 23.4% in 2021-22 to 22.7% in 2022-23.
7. The current percentage of obese kids in Year 6 is still higher than before the pandemic when it was 21%.
8. According to Dr. Mike McKean, potential consequences of being overweight as a child include long-term illnesses, mental health problems, and shorter lives.
Go back to questions ⇧

Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) obese
(2) better
(3) years
(4) areas
(5) school
(6) number
(7) rates
(8) difference
(9) health
(10) sports
(11) schools
(12) programs
(13) families
(14) differences
(15) overweight
(16) lowest
Go back to questions ⇧

Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. obese
Answer: (a) Very fat or overweight

2. overweight
Answer: (g) Heavier than what is considered healthy for your height

3. pandemic
Answer: (e) A global outbreak of a disease

4. Reception
Answer: (h) The first year of primary school

5. rates
Answer: (b) The numbers or percentages of something

6. poorer
Answer: (d) Having less money or resources

7. active
Answer: (f) Engaging in physical activity or exercise

8. conclusion
Answer: (c) The final result or outcome
Go back to questions ⇧

Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What does the new information from the NHS show about the number of obese kids in England?
Answer: (a) It has gone down a little bit

2. Which age group has seen a decrease in the number of obese kids compared to 2018-19?
Answer: (b) Four or five-year-olds

3. Where are kids more likely to be obese in England?
Answer: (d) Poorer areas

4. What percentage of Year 6 kids were obese in 2022-23?
Answer: (a) 22.7%

5. According to Dr. Mike McKean, what are the potential consequences of being overweight as a child?
Answer: (c) Long-term illnesses, mental health problems, and shorter lives

6. What is the government’s goal regarding childhood obesity?
Answer: (b) To reduce the number of obese kids by 2030

7. What is the government doing to encourage kids to be more active and have healthier lives?
Answer: (c) Spending £320 million every year on sports in schools

8. Which regions in England have the highest rates of obesity in Year 6 kids?
Answer: (d) North East, West Midlands, and London
Go back to questions ⇧

True or False Answers:

1. The number of kids who are obese in England has decreased slightly, but there are still more kids who are overweight or obese compared to before the pandemic. (Answer: True)
2. Children living in poorer areas of England are more likely to be obese than those in wealthier areas. (Answer: True)
3. Obesity rates are not higher in poorer areas, with 12.4% of Reception kids and 30.2% of Year 6 kids in the poorest areas being obese. (Answer: False)
4. The National Child Measurement Programme measures the height and weight of kids in Reception class and Year 6 to determine obesity rates in primary schools. (Answer: True)
5. The percentage of obese kids in Year 6 has not decreased from 23.4% in 2021-22 to 22.7% in 2022-23, and it is still not higher than pre-pandemic levels. (Answer: False)
6. Kids who are four or five years old have not seen a decrease in obesity rates compared to 2018-19. (Answer: False)
7. The government does not aim to reduce childhood obesity by 2030 and is not investing in sports programs and initiatives like Healthy Start to promote healthier lifestyles. (Answer: False)
8. The percentage of obese kids in Reception has decreased from 10.1% to 9.2% during the same time period, indicating a continued decline in obesity levels. (Answer: True)
Go back to questions ⇧