More should be done to combat childhood obesity, according to Children’s Champion Daphne Caine MHK.

In the most recent figures, 9.1% of five-year-olds were recorded as being ’obese’, while 22.9% were classed as being overweight or obese (meaning 13.8% of five-year-olds are overweight but not obese).

The children’s champion states in her report: ’Children are weighed in reception year and parents advised if their child is overweight. Why are they not weighed again in year six [the last year in primary school] to establish the true facts over the increase or otherwise in obesity in primary school?

’This would need careful handling because we do not want to increase anxiety in young people by them being concerned about their weight. However, it is in their best interests that they are directed and assisted to be active and achieve a healthy weight.’

She adds: ’Accepting schools have the freedom to direct their own curriculum, I would urge the Health and Education departments to agree a policy over the Daily Mile that is followed by a handful of schools on the island. Weighing children in Year six would provide evidence whether or not this has an impact on the health of children.’

The Daily Mile scheme aims to get children to run, walk or jog for 15 minutes every day at school, but not all have adopted the scheme as a policy.

Obesity figures in the Isle of Man match closely those in the UK.

’Childhood obesity surely must be a priority especially considering obesity levels double through primary school in England,’ Mrs Caine says.

’The figure for year six obesity in England was 19.8% according to the National Child Measurement Programme figures, November 2016. The Isle of Man needs to be aware of that trend and gather evidence and take appropriate action on the island.’