National Child Measurement Programme
annual report, academic year 2024 to 2025

Introduction

The National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP) is a key element of the Government’s approach to tackling childhood obesity by annually measuring over one million children and providing reliable data on the percentage of children living with obesity. Children have their height and weight measured in reception (aged 4 to 5 years) and year 6 (aged 10 to 11 years) in mainstream state-maintained primary schools in England. In 2024 to 2025 the NCMP collected height and weight measurements from 1,145,893 children, which is 94.1% of all eligible children.

There is public health concern about the trend in childhood obesity in England and the implications of obesity persisting into adulthood. Obesity in adults is a risk factor for other health conditions such as type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, stroke and some types of cancer. It may also impact on mental health.

This report contains analysis of the 2024 to 2025 academic year NCMP data collection, showing the latest patterns and trends in the percentage of children in each body mass index (BMI) category. Some sections of this report focus only on specific BMI categories where there are notable patterns of variation. The 2024 to 2025 prevalence data for all BMI categories is published and available to view and download from the Obesity, physical activity and nutrition profile.

BMI category definitions used in this report

For population-monitoring purposes, a child’s body mass index (BMI) is classed as overweight or obese where it is on or above the 85th centile or 95th centile, respectively, based on the British 1990 (UK90) growth reference data. The population monitoring cut-offs for overweight and obesity are lower than the clinical cut-offs (91st and 98th centiles for overweight and obesity) used to assess individual children. This is to capture children in the population in the clinical overweight or obesity BMI categories and those who are at high risk of moving into the clinical overweight or clinical obesity categories. This helps ensure that adequate services are planned and delivered for the whole population to treat and prevent obesity and promote healthy growth for all children. Population-monitoring thresholds are used in this report.

The BMI category of each child is derived by calculating the child’s BMI centile. Calculation of child BMI uses age and sex, as well as height and weight, to take into account different growth patterns in boys and girls at different ages. BMI category is assigned as outlined in the table below.

BMI category BMI centile range for population monitoring
Underweight Less than or equal to 2nd centile
Healthy weight Greater than 2nd centile and less than 85th centile
Overweight (excluding obesity) Equal to or greater than 85th centile and less than 95th centile
Obesity Equal to or greater than 95th centile
Severe obesity (a subset of obesity) Equal to or greater than 99.6th centile

Accompanying this report are:

  • data tables, including 95% confidence intervals which should be considered when interpreting results
  • a methods report with information on data collection and validation, data quality, calculation of prevalence and confidence intervals, statistical testing and the method used for BMI classification
  • the Obesity, physical activity and nutrition fingertips profile, an interactive tool that displays NCMP data from academic years 2006 to 2007 to 2024 to 2025, and data on trends and inequalities at national and local level


Statistical differences

Comparisons between groups and over time have been statistically tested to determine whether differences are likely to be genuine (statistically significant) or the result of random natural variation. Only statistically significant differences have been described with terms such as “higher”, “lower”, “increase” or “decrease”. When a comparison does not show a statistically significant difference, this will be described using terms such as “similar to” or “the same as”. Details of the significance testing can be found in the methods report.


Main Findings

In the academic year 2024 to 2025, 1,145,893 children were measured at state-maintained schools as part of the NCMP collection. The majority of these children were a healthy weight (75.4% in reception and 62.2% in year 6), with girls more likely than boys to be a healthy weight (figures 1 and 2).

However, in 2024 to 2025 10.5% of children in reception and 22.2% of year 6 children were living with obesity. Excluding the peak in 2020 to 2021 during the pandemic this is the highest obesity prevalence seen in reception since the NCMP began in 2006 to 2007 but remains just within the range of projected prevalence based on analysis of the pre-pandemic trend (figure 3f). For children in year 6, obesity prevalence is similar to last year (22.1%) and is within the projected range based on the pre-pandemic increasing trend (figure 4f).

Large differences in prevalence remain between ethnic groups, with children from Black ethnic groups more likely to be living with obesity, and children from the Indian ethnic group more likely to be underweight (figures 5 and 6).

Large differences in prevalence by level of deprivation also remain; obesity prevalence continues to be more than double in the most deprived areas compared to the least deprived areas for both reception (14.0% compared to 6.9%) and year 6 (29.3% compared to 13.5%), with the deprivation gap increasing since the early years of the NCMP (figures 11 and 12). 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.

At a regional and local level, variation in obesity prevalence is mostly driven by persistent inequalities by ethnic group and deprivation.


Latest data

Figures 1 and 2 show the latest data for 2024 to 2025:

  • the majority of children in reception (75.4%) and in year 6 (62.2%) were a healthy weight
  • obesity prevalence in year 6 (22.2%) was more than twice as high as in reception (10.5%), with 133,553 children in year 6 living with obesity compared with 57,242 children in reception
  • severe obesity prevalence in year 6 (5.6%) was higher than in reception (2.9%)
  • in reception, 1.1% of children were underweight as were 1.6% of children in year 6
  • prevalence of obesity is higher in boys than girls, in both reception (10.7% compared to 10.3%) and year 6 (24.6% compared to 19.8%)
  • prevalence of severe obesity is higher in boys than girls, in both reception (3.1% compared to 2.7%) and year 6 (6.6% compared to 4.5%)
  • in reception, underweight prevalence is higher in boys (1.5%) than girls (0.7%), but in year 6 underweight prevalence is higher in girls (1.7%) than boys (1.5%)


Figure 1: Prevalence in reception (aged 4 to 5 years) by sex and BMI category

Source: DHSC analysis of NCMP data, available in Table 1 of the accompanying data tables


Figure 2: Prevalence in year 6 (aged 10 to 11 years) by sex and BMI category

Source: DHSC analysis of NCMP data, available in Table 1 of the accompanying data tables


Ethnicity

There is variation in obesity prevalence across ethnic groups. Some of these differences may be due to the influence of other factors such as area deprivation and physiological differences such as height.


BMI category prevalence in reception by ethnic group

In reception in 2024 to 2025:

  • obesity prevalence was highest among children from Black African (15.0%) and any other Black background ethnic groups (14.5%)
  • severe obesity prevalence was highest among children from Black African (5.0%), any other Black background (4.7%) and Bangladeshi (4.3%) ethnic groups
  • underweight prevalence was highest in children from the Indian ethnic group (6.1%)


Figure 5a to 5c: Prevalence of obesity, severe obesity and underweight in reception (aged 4 to 5 years) by ethnic group

Figure 5a: Obesity prevalence in reception by ethnic group

Figure 5b: Severe obesity prevalence in reception by ethnic group

Figure 5c: Underweight prevalence in reception by ethnic group

Source: DHSC analysis of NCMP data, available in Table 4 of the accompanying data tables


BMI category prevalence in year 6 by ethnic group

In year 6 in 2024 to 2025:

  • obesity prevalence was highest among children from any other Black background (31.4%), Black Caribbean (30.8%), Black African (29.6%) and Bangladeshi (29.3%) ethnic groups
  • severe obesity prevalence was highest among children from Black Caribbean (10.4%), and any other Black background ethnic groups (10.3%)
  • underweight prevalence was highest in children from the Indian ethnic group (5.2%)


Figure 6a to 6c: Prevalence of obesity, severe obesity and underweight in reception (aged 4 to 5 years) by ethnic group

Figure 6a: Obesity prevalence in year 6 by ethnic group

Figure 6b: Severe obesity prevalence in year 6 by ethnic group

Figure 6c: Underweight prevalence in year 6 by ethnic group

Source: DHSC analysis of NCMP data, available in Table 4 of the accompanying data tables


Deprivation

There is a strong correlation between obesity and level of deprivation, with children living in the more deprived areas experiencing a higher prevalence of obesity. Data is presented using the Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD), a measure of relative deprivation for small areas. The small areas are divided according to their deprivation rank into 10 equal groups (deciles), ranging from the most deprived areas (decile 1) to the least deprived areas (decile 10). Deprivation analysis can be viewed and downloaded for all BMI categories in the Obesity, physical activity and nutrition profile.


Obesity prevalence in reception by deprivation IMD deciles (using child postcode)

In reception children in 2024 to 2025:

  • the prevalence of obesity was over twice as high among reception children living in the most deprived areas (14%) compared with children living in the least deprived areas (6.9%)
  • the prevalence of severe obesity was around 3 times as high among reception children living in the most deprived areas (4.6%) compared with children living in the least deprived areas (1.5%)


Figure 9a to 9b: Prevalence of obesity and severe obesity in reception (aged 4 to 5 years) by deprivation decile

Figure 9a: Obesity prevalence in reception by deprivation decile

Figure 9b: Severe obesity prevalence in reception by deprivation decile

Source: DHSC analysis of NCMP data, available in Table 6 of the accompanying data tables


Obesity prevalence in year 6 by deprivation IMD deciles (using child postcode)

In year 6 children in 2024 to 2025:

  • the prevalence of obesity was more than double among children living in the most deprived areas (29.3%) compared with children living in the least deprived areas (13.5%)
  • the prevalence of severe obesity was over 4 times as high among children living in the most deprived areas (9.0%) compared with children living in the least deprived areas (2.2%)


Figure 10a to 10b: Prevalence of obesity and severe obesity in year 6 (aged 10 to 11 years) by deprivation decile

Figure 10a: Obesity prevalence in year 6 by deprivation decile

Figure 10b: Severe obesity prevalence in year 6 by deprivation decile

Source: DHSC analysis of NCMP data, available in Table 6 of the accompanying data tables


Deprivation gap by ethnic group

The pattern of obesity prevalence by deprivation decile varies by ethnic group. Figures 13 and 14 show the gap in obesity prevalence between children living in the most deprived and least deprived areas of England for each ethnic group. This analysis uses the 3 most recent academic years of available NCMP data (between 2022 to 2023 and 2024 to 2025) to ensure the findings are statistically robust as there are relatively few children in some ethnic groups.

Deprivation gap by ethnic group in reception

Most ethnic groups follow a similar pattern to England with a large, statistically significant gap in prevalence between the least and most deprived areas (figure 13). However, this pattern is not evident in all groups; Black African children living in the least deprived areas have a similar prevalence of obesity to those in the most deprived areas of England.


Figure 13: Gap in obesity prevalence between reception (aged 4 to 5 years) children living in the most deprived and least deprived areas of England by ethnic group

Source: DHSC analysis of NCMP data, available in Table 8 of the accompanying data tables


Deprivation gap by ethnic group in year 6

Most ethnic groups follow a similar pattern to England with a large, statistically significant gap in prevalence between the least and most deprived areas (figure 14). However, this pattern is not evident in all groups; Black African children living in the least deprived areas have a similar prevalence of obesity to those in the most deprived areas of England.


Figure 14: Gap in obesity prevalence between year 6 (aged 10 to 11 years) children living in the most deprived and least deprived areas of England by ethnic group

Source: DHSC analysis of NCMP data, available in Table 8 of the accompanying data tables



Geography

Geographic analyses are based on the postcode of the child’s home address which is mapped to a local authority and region.

Obesity prevalence and severe obesity prevalence show variation across England, reflecting demographic and socioeconomic differences across the population.

Regional data for each BMI category can be accessed via the interactive Obesity, physical activity and nutrition profile. Slide packs for easy presentation of regional NCMP data, including inequalities, can be downloaded for use from the fingertips tool.


Reception obesity prevalence by region

In reception, in 2024 to 2025:

  • obesity prevalence was highest in the North East (12.4%), Yorkshire and the Humber (12.0%), North West (11.5%) and West Midlands (11.4%)
  • severe obesity prevalence was highest in the North East (3.6%), Yorkshire and the Humber (3.6%), West Midlands (3.3%), and North West (3.2%)
  • obesity prevalence was lowest in the East of England (9.4%), South East (9.4%) and South West (9.7%) and London (9.8%)
  • severe obesity prevalence was lowest in the South West (2.4%), South East (2.5%) and East of England (2.5%)


Figure 15a to 15b: Prevalence of obesity and severe obesity in reception (aged 4 to 5 years) by English region

Figure 15a: Obesity prevalence in reception by English region

Figure 15b: Severe obesity prevalence in reception by English region

Source: DHSC analysis of NCMP data, available in Table 9a of the accompanying data tables


Year 6 obesity prevalence by region

In year 6 in 2024 to 2025:

  • obesity prevalence was highest in the North East (25.0%), West Midlands (24.8%), Yorkshire and the Humber (24.1%), North West (23.6%) and London (23.2%)
  • severe obesity prevalence was highest in the North East (7.1%), West Midlands (6.5%), Yorkshire and the Humber (6.4%), North West (6.2%) and London (6.0%)
  • obesity prevalence was lowest in the South East (19.2%), South West (19.5%) and East of England (20.3%)
  • severe obesity prevalence was lowest in the South West (4.3%), South East (4.3%) and East of England (4.8%)


Figure 16a to 16b: Prevalence of obesity and severe obesity in year 6 (aged 4 to 5 years) by English region

Figure 16a: Obesity prevalence in year 6 by English region

Figure 16b: Severe obesity prevalence in year 6 by English region

Source: DHSC analysis of NCMP data, available in Table 9b of the accompanying data tables


Local authority prevalence data

Obesity prevalence varies by local authority and reflects differences in population demographics and socioeconomic characteristics. Local authorities with higher levels of deprivation tend to have higher obesity prevalence.

Local authority data for each BMI category can be accessed via the interactive Obesity, physical activity and nutrition profile with inequality data available by deprivation, ethnicity and sex. Slide packs for easy presentation of local authority NCMP data can be downloaded for use from the fingertips tool.


Obesity prevalence in reception by upper tier local authority

For reception, obesity prevalence ranged from 4.6% in Richmond upon Thames in the London region to 15.4% in Halton in the North West.


Figure 17: Obesity prevalence in reception (aged 4 to 5 years) children in England

Source: DHSC analysis of NCMP data, available in Table 9a of the accompanying data tables


Obesity prevalence in year 6 by upper tier local authority

For year 6, obesity prevalence ranged from 12.1% in Richmond upon Thames in the London region, to 30.7% in Sandwell in the West Midlands.


Figure 18: Obesity prevalence in year 6 (aged 10 to 11 years) children in England

Source: DHSC analysis of NCMP data, available in Table 9b of the accompanying data tables


BMI distribution

The charts in this section of the report show the distribution of BMI z scores compared to the British 1990 (UK90) growth reference baseline for different demographic groups. The BMI z score is a standard deviation score which adjusts BMI for age and sex of children based on the UK90 growth reference. The distribution of BMI z scores shows a more granular picture of changes over time than that obtained by looking at prevalence by BMI category. The centiles for population monitoring, shown in table 1 of this report, are marked on the charts.

Reception BMI distribution by sex

For both reception boys and girls, the whole BMI curve has shifted slightly to the right since 1990 indicating increases in BMI. The shape of the distribution has remained similar suggesting that the increases have occurred relatively evenly for all BMI levels.

The average BMI centile has increased among reception children from the 50th centile in the UK90 reference population to the 59th centile for all children, 59th centile for boys and 60th centile for girls in 2024 to 2025.


Figure 19: BMI distribution by sex in reception (aged 4 to 5 years)

Source: DHSC analysis of NCMP data


Year 6 BMI distribution by sex

The shape of the distribution has changed considerably among year 6 children since the 1990 baseline. The curve is now more skewed, with a higher proportion of children in year 6 at the right-hand side of the chart with higher BMI values.

The BMI distribution for boys is more skewed than the distribution for girls, with a higher proportion of boys having a BMI over the 95th centile.

The average BMI centile has increased among year 6 children from the 50th centile in the UK90 reference population to the 63rd centile for all children, 65th centile for boys and 61st centile for girls in 2024 to 2025.


Figure 20: BMI distribution by sex in year 6 (aged 10 to 11 years)

Source: DHSC analysis of NCMP data


Reception change in BMI distribution by academic year

The distribution of BMI in children in reception is very similar in 2024 to 2025 compared to the start of the NCMP in 2006 to 2007.

The mean BMI centile for children in reception had been between the 59th and 60th centile between 2006 to 2007 and 2019 to 2020. It increased to the 62nd centile in 2020 to 2021 but returned to the pre-pandemic level in 2021 to 2022 where it has remained in 2024 to 2025.


Figure 21: BMI distribution by academic year in reception (aged 4 to 5 years)

Source: DHSC analysis of NCMP data


Year 6 change in BMI distribution by academic year

The shape of the distribution has changed over the period of the NCMP (between 2006 to 2007 and 2024 to 2025). The curve has become more skewed, with an increasing proportion of year 6 children with higher BMI values.

The mean BMI centile for children in year 6 had been on the 62nd or 63rd centile between 2007 to 2008 and 2019 to 2020 and increased to the 67th centile in 2020 to 2021. Mean BMI centile for year 6 children was on the 63rd centile in 2024 to 2025.


Figure 22: BMI distribution by academic year in year 6 (aged 10 to 11 years)

Source: DHSC analysis of NCMP data


Reception BMI distribution by deprivation decile

The distribution of BMI is a different shape for reception children living in the most deprived 10% of areas in England compared to children living in the least deprived areas. There is a peak further to the right and a longer tail of high BMI z scores.

The mean BMI centile of children living in the most deprived areas in 2024 to 2025 was on the 61st centile whereas the mean among children living in the least deprived areas was on the 58th centile.


Figure 23: BMI distribution by deprivation decile in reception (aged 4 to 5 years)

Source: DHSC analysis of NCMP data


Year 6 BMI distribution by deprivation decile

The distribution of BMI is a very different shape for year 6 children living in the most deprived 10% of areas in England compared to children living in the least deprived areas. The peak is further to the right and flatter with a much longer tail of high BMI z scores.

The mean BMI centile of children living in the most deprived areas in 2024 to 2025 was on the 67th centile whereas the mean among children living in the least deprived areas was on the 56th centile.


Figure 24: BMI distribution by deprivation decile in year 6 (aged 10 to 11 years)

Source: DHSC analysis of NCMP data


Further information

The Obesity, Physical Activity and Nutrition profile

The Obesity, Physical Activity and Nutrition profile on Fingertips displays data from the National Child Measurement Programme.

Indicators on the prevalence of underweight, healthy weight overweight, obesity, and severe obesity are shown for England, regions, upper and lower tier local authorities, Integrated Care Boards, electoral wards, and middle super output areas.

Inequalities data is also displayed showing differences in prevalence by sex, ethnic group, and deprivation.

Data tables

This report has accompanying data tables for all the data included in the report and includes a table showing data quality measures for each local authority.

Methods report and data quality statement

The methods report provides information on NCMP data collection and validation, data quality, calculation of prevalence and confidence intervals, statistical testing and the method used for BMI classification. The data quality statement provides users with an evidence-based assessment of quality of the statistical output included in this report.

Report examining the data linking reception and year 6 NCMP measurement records

DHSC has published analysis of NCMP data looking at the changes in the body mass index (BMI) category of children between the first and final years of primary school. This report examines how individual children’s BMI category has changed between their measurements in reception at age 4 to 5 years in the academic year 2017 to 2018 and their measurements in year 6 at age 10 to 11 years in 2023 to 2024.

Data is reported for children who are underweight, healthy weight, overweight, living with obesity (excluding severe obesity) and living with severe obesity. How children move between BMI categories in reception to year 6 is examined by sex, ethnic group, deprivation and geographic region to see if the patterns differ within these groupings. Data for local authorities showing movements between BMI categories between reception and year 6 measurements is presented in the Obesity, physical activity and nutrition profile

Child height data

A statistical commentary on data from the NCMP for the academic years 2008 to 2009 through to 2023 to 2024, describing patterns in child height and short stature was published alongside an update to the Obesity, physical activity and nutrition profile which presents child height data at a local authority level.

Feedback

If you have any feedback about this report or the accompanying files please email pha-ohid@dhsc.gov.uk with the subject heading “NCMP annual report”.