May 13, 2026 - 148 views
More than one in four children starting school in Wales are now living with overweight or obesity, according to new figures that health experts say highlight the growing pressures facing families during the cost of living crisis.
The latest Child Measurement Programme statistics from Public Health Wales found that 27.3% of four and five-year-olds in Wales are living with overweight or obesity — the highest national figure recorded since the programme began in 2014-15.
The annual programme measures the height and weight of children in Reception classes across Wales. This year’s report included 28,512 children, representing 94.7% of all four and five-year-olds — the highest participation level ever recorded.
The figures show that 12.8% of children in Wales are living with obesity, compared with 10.5% in England and 11.8% in Scotland.
Health experts say the statistics are closely linked to deprivation and wider social pressures. In the most deprived communities in Wales, 15.6% of children were living with obesity — around 75% higher than the 8.9% recorded in the least deprived areas.
For many families, the rising cost of living has made healthy eating increasingly difficult. Parents are often forced to balance household bills, rent and energy costs against food budgets, with cheaper processed foods and high-calorie convenience meals frequently costing less than healthier fresh alternatives.
Families in some communities may also face limited access to affordable healthy food, fewer safe outdoor play spaces, busy working schedules, and increasing childcare pressures — all factors that can affect children’s health and wellbeing.
Rachel Bath, consultant in public health and lead for early years at Public Health Wales, stressed that parents should not be blamed.
“This is not about parents lacking knowledge or motivation,” she said.
“Families consistently tell us they want to do their best for their babies and young children, but the environments around them can make healthy choices harder to achieve.”
She added that the early years of a child’s life — from pregnancy through to starting school — are critical in shaping long-term health outcomes.
Public Health Wales said tackling the issue requires a joined-up approach involving health services, schools, childcare providers, retailers, communities and government.
Work already under way includes a review of food provision in early years settings, discussions with retailers about healthier baby food choices, and direct engagement with communities to better understand the barriers families face.
The organisation has also appointed a National Breastfeeding Lead to provide additional support and leadership as part of wider efforts to improve children’s health in Wales.
Ms Bath said lasting improvements would depend on long-term investment and collaboration.
“Creating the conditions where the healthy choice is the easy choice requires joined-up action across health, food, childcare, retail, communities and public services,” she said.
Parents and carers can access advice and support through the Public Health Wales website which includes guidance on healthy eating, child development and wellbeing for children up to the age of seven.
