ALMOST 40 per cent of Year Six children in Thurrock are classed as obese, a report has revealed.

The report to Thurrock's children's services overview and scrutiny committee says 38.7 per cent of youngsters are suffering from obesity, significantly higher than regional and England rates of 34.2 per cent and 36.6 per cent respectively.

More Thurrock boys than girls are classed as overweight or obese and the report shows it does not affect ethnic groups equally, with those from black, Asian and mixed ethnic groups experiencing the highest rates.

There is also a strong link between obesity and socioeconomic deprivation in Thurrock, with rates three times higher in the most deprived areas compared to the least deprived areas.

Thurrock public health team put in place a grant arrangement with BeeZee Bodies to deliver a weight management service for children and young people in Thurrock.

The one-year grant funded arrangement saw a "disappointing uptake". Work is also underway in schools to target those at risk.

Cllr Sara Muldowney, vice chairman of the committee, said part of the problem could be linked to giving children enough time to eat and digest their food properly during the school day.

She said: "When my son was at school he had a 25-minute break and that went down to 20 minutes during covid then they finished at 2.30pm. When I went to school we had a whole hour. You could go and get your meal and then you had plenty of time to play in the playground.

"I don't understand the move to concertina the school day, especially at younger ages. Kids need a proper break and they need time to eat their lunch. I'm sure that is a contributing factor to what we're seeing. How have you got time to eat and enjoy your food and really register you're full and you don't need to eat any more."

The report, which was discussed by the committee on Tuesday (12 March), said: "Thurrock has concerning rates of overweight and obesity amongst children and adults.

"Tackling this issue is a priority for the council, as reflected in the Thurrock Health and Wellbeing Strategy goal to work with communities to reduce obesity in Thurrock."