Nursery World - Health varies by postcode

New Government figures reveal large regional disparities in the health of young children.

Research by the Department of Health and the Association of PublicHealth Observatories shows that some areas of inner London have thehighest rates of child obesity in the country. Hackney in east Londontopped the tables, with 16 per cent of children classed as obese by thetime they start the reception year at school.

Tower Hamlets, also in east London, had the fifth highest rate of childobesity, with 14.7 per cent of reception class children consideredobese.

The lowest rate was found in Teesdale, County Durham, where 4.9 per centof reception year children were obese.

Rita Krishna, cabinet member for children's services on Hackney Council,said, 'There is a link between poverty, deprivation and obesity inHackney. However, there is also a range of partnership work going on totackle this, from free daily fresh fruit and healthy eating sessions atchildren's centres, including healthy cooking sessions at children'scentres' nurseries, to free swimming for under-18s at leisurecentres.'

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