NEARLY a third of children in Buckinghamshire aged ten or eleven are overweight or obese, a new report has revealed.

And a fifth of four to five year-olds in the county are also carrying too many pounds, the research shows.

The newly released figures, part of the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment, demonstrate that the number of obese ten and eleven year olds has continued to rise over a six year period.

Although during the last two years there has been a decline in obese children aged four or five, overweight rates for this age group have risen.

Of the four district council areas in Bucks, Aylesbury Vale has the highest percentage of obese or overweight year 6 pupils, about 32 per cent, with South Bucks second, Wycombe third and Chiltern fourth by slim margins.

The research found that in the ten/eleven age group boys from all minority groups are more likely to be obese than white British and among girls of the same category, obesity prevalence is especially high for those from black African and black other ethnic groups.

The data showed that those in the most deprived areas experienced more obesity.

Lesley Manning, Public Health Practitioner, from Buckinghamshire County Council, who authored the report, wrote: “The rate of child obesity is rising and in Buckinghamshire now over 30 per cent of 10-11 year old children and 20 per cent of 4-5 year old children are overweight or obese.

“This has significant health, social and educational consequences in both the short and long-term.

"Once established, obesity is very difficult to treat, so prevention and early intervention are important.

“Obese children are at increased risk of various physical and mental health problems, including reduced self-esteem and increased risk of depression and social isolation which can impact on their social and educational development.”

She added: “Obese children are at risk of becoming obese adults, reducing life expectancy by an average of nine years through a greatly increased risk of heart disease, cancer, diabetes and high blood pressure.”

The report identified other health risks include early puberty, eating disorders, skin infections, respiratory problems and musculoskeletal disorders.

Causes suggested included poor diet and limited activity, high birth weight, rapid weight gain in first year, parental obesity, short sleep duration, and high levels of television viewing.

Although the report says the figures are a concern for Buckinghamshire, the rates of obesity are slightly lower than both the South East and national averages.

The research was compiled by Bucks County Council, the NHS and the district councils.