CHILDREN battling obesity are set to be put through their paces on a series of weight management schemes in a bid to help them shed the pounds.

Worrying new figures show that one in five children in Year Six in Southend are obese – the equivalent to 19.5 per cent – while 9.1 per cent of Reception aged children in the borough are battling weight problems.

The Health4Life course will now give obese children six weeks of guidance on nutrition, health and wellbeing support and physical activities Margaret Wilson, chief executive of Zenith Multi-Academy Trust, feared the problem may stem from the easy access to fatty foods – both practically and financially.

The proximity of schools to takeaways across the borough has previously come under scrutiny – with calls for fast food businesses not to sell to school age children.

Ms Wilson added: “It could also be related to the ease of access to takeaways, but I think it’s more the fact that it’s cheaper for kids to buy chocolate than it is say a bag of apples. It’s also probably easier to eat a burger or chips with your fingers than perhaps a salad too.

“That being said, there has been a big take up in healthy food options in our schools.”

The former headteacher also raised concerns that the Covid-19 pandemic may have increased issues.

She added: “I worry that Covid will mean a lot of kids can’t do the activities they might have before. Grassroot sports have had to stop through the pandemic, and although they will have had compulsory PE at school, they may not have had as much exercise.”

Anne Jones, cabinet member for children and learning, said: “All children identified as above their ideal weight for their height and age are invited to participate in Health4Life.

“However, I would stress that weight management is an issue which is much wider than the school environment, as it is a problem for society to address.

The council is working with different partners to try and address this worldwide problem.”

“Through our Healthy Schools programme, we encourage the daily mile, where children and staff walk or run for 15 minutes daily.

"From January, schools will be able to access additional physical activity and mental wellbeing programmes, to meet the needs of their pupils during these challenging times.”