New figures reveal more than 40 per cent of Oldham school children are classed as overweight - a quarter of which are finishing their primary education obese.

NHS Digital figures show 26.7 per cent of Year 6 pupils in Oldham schools were obese in 2021-22, including 5.9 per cent who were considered severely obese with a body mass index (BMI) in the top 0.4 per cent for a child's age and sex.

A further 15.1 per cent of children were overweight meaning almost half - 41.9 per cent - of Oldham's youngsters are unhealthily overweight when they finish primary school. 

Pre-pandemic, 26.8 per cent of students in Oldham were classed as obese in 2019-20, the latest period with comparable local data.

The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) said the figures point to inequalities as obesity rates differ for children in deprived areas compared to their more affluent peers.

The Government's annual National Child Measurement Programme further revealed 31.3 per cent of 10 and 11-year-old children living in the most deprived areas of the country were obese compared to 13.5 per cent of those living in the least deprived areas.

Helen Stewart, officer for health improvement at the RCPCH, said the data "reaffirms the intrinsic link between obesity and poverty".

She added: "We now find ourselves in a situation where our most vulnerable children are twice as likely to become obese, and subsequently be at a higher risk of chronic illnesses, mental health issues and even a shorter life span.

"It’s inherently wrong that these children can be placed at such a disadvantage before even leaving primary school."

The College is calling on Health Secretary Steve Barclay to reinforce the government's anti-obesity strategy, which was recently rumoured to be at risk of being scrapped.

The strategy includes scrapping junk food adverts online and on TV before 9pm, expanding weight management services available through the NHS and preventing shops from putting promotions on foods high in fat, sugar or salt.

Director of the Obesity Health Alliance, Katharine Jenner, said sales of unhealthy food increased during the pandemic and that the small drop in obesity rates this year suggests children are having regular snacks and meals back at school.

"But they will not drop further without political will from the highest levels of government", she added.

Ms Jenner also said implementing obesity policies will have a "disproportional benefit" to those on low incomes.

A government spokesperson did not comment on whether it would press ahead with the anti-obesity strategy but said it is "committed to halving childhood obesity by 2030" through support schemes for vulnerable families, such as Healthy Start.

"Over £150 million is spent every year to the Healthy Food Schemes to promote a healthy diet for children," they added.