Number of children overweight in primary school increasing, according to Cancer Research UK

Research conducted by Cancer Research UK shows that 7,400 children each year who start primary school at a healthy weight end up obese or overweight by the time they leave.

In addition, nearly one in five children in the region are already overweight or obese when they start primary school from the age of four.

Being overweight or obese is the single biggest cause of preventable cancer in the UK, after smoking.

Jenny Makin, Cancer Research UK spokeswoman, said: ‘The figures and images released highlight the urgent need to help protect the health of the region’s youngsters.

‘Obese children are around five times more likely to grow into obese adults, and obese adults are more likely to develop cancer.’