Number of Dumfries and Galloway kids at risk of being overweight or obese at lowest level for more than a decade

The level of children at risk of being overweight or obese in Dumfries and Galloway has reached its lowest point in over a decade. Despite this improvement, there are still more young children in primary one at risk of being overweight or obese compared to most other areas in Scotland. Public Health Scotland has released new data indicating healthy weight statistics based on body mass index (BMI) calculations, with measurements from 1,096 children in Dumfries and Galloway.

Of these children, 829 were found to have a healthy weight, accounting for 75.6% of the total. This percentage is slightly below the Scottish average of 76.5%. The report highlights that BMI is considered a reliable measure of body fat levels in children over two years old. The data reveals that 15 children were at risk of being underweight, while 126 were at risk of being overweight and the same number were at risk of being obese. This brings the total percentage of children at risk of obesity or overweight to 23%, down from 25.9% the previous year, marking the lowest figure since 2012/13.

However, this percentage remains higher than the Scottish average of 22.3%, which has seen a slight increase from the previous year. Public Health Scotland emphasises the importance of monitoring healthy weight in children to ensure their needs are being met. They advocate for accessible and affordable healthy food options, opportunities for physical activity, and safe play environments to improve the overall well-being of children. Maintaining a healthy weight during childhood is linked to numerous health benefits.

In summary, the latest data from Public Health Scotland shows positive progress in reducing the number of children at risk of being overweight or obese in Dumfries and Galloway. While there is still work to be done to align with the Scottish average, efforts to support children in maintaining a healthy weight are crucial for their overall health and well-being. Promoting healthy lifestyles through nutrition and physical activity at a young age can have long-term benefits for children’s health outcomes.