The National Childhood Measurement Programme (NCMP) data for the school year 2024/25 was published on 6th November 2025. The NCMP provides annual data on the number of children in Reception (aged 4-5 years) and Year 6 (aged 10-11 years) in mainstream state-maintained schools in England living with overweight and obesity*.
- Nationally, 10.5% of children in reception and 22.2% of year 6 children were living with obesity. Excluding the COVID peak this is the highest obesity prevalence seen in reception since the NCMP began in 2006 to 2007
- In 2024 to 2025, unlike in most previous years, there has been an increase in obesity prevalence in reception children in both the most and the least deprived areas.
- In Birmingham, the prevalence of obesity in reception children increased by 0.2% from 11.4% in 2023/24 to 11.6% in 2024/25.
Table 1. below summarises the main findings for Reception and Year 6 (Y6) for Birmingham and England for 2024/25, 2023/24 and 2022/23. We have included figures for % overweight, % obese and % overweight and obese combined.
* For population monitoring purposes, a child’s BMI is classed as overweight or obese where it is on or above the 85th centile or 95th centile respectively, based on the UK90 growth reference data.
The full report for the 2024/25 school year can be found here National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP) annual report, academic year 2024 to 2025, England – GOV.UK
How can we make a difference in Birmingham?
By completing and renewing the Startwell Award. This is an NHS approved programme for nurseries and Children’s Centres in Birmingham. Settings working on the Startwell Award, improve the healthy eating, physical development and oral health of children using 8 key characters and messages with the overall aim of reducing childhood overweight and obesity. For more information on Startwell and to contact our team visit our website.
