The number of obese and overweight children in Norfolk is falling, according to latest figures.

The number of obese and overweight children in Norfolk is falling, according to latest figures.

Latest statistics from the National Child Measurement Programme for the NHS Norfolk area show that the number of reception-age children classed as obese fell from 9.1pc in 2007/08 to 8.8pc in 2008/09. During the same time period, obesity levels in Year 6 pupils fell from 18pc to 17.7pc.

In the Yarmouth and Waveney area, the number of reception-age children classed as obese dropped from 10.4pc in 2007/08 to 9.6pc in 2008/09. During the same time period, obesity levels in Year 6 pupils fell from 19.6pc to 18.9pc.

Hannah Critten, NHS Norfolk's 'Healthy Weight, Healthy Lives' coordinator, said: 'We are pleased to see child obesity in Norfolk decreasing but we remain absolutely focussed on continuing with measures to support families.

The government has set out a national ambition to first halt and then seek to reduce, the level of childhood obesity and NHS Norfolk has made this a key priority within its five-year strategic plan 'Bold and Ambitious'.

NHS Norfolk aims to achieve a 2pc reduction in the number of obese primary school children, and achieve a 4pc reduction in the number of obese children in year 6 up to 2014.

Measures for families put in place by NHS Norfolk include MEND (Mind, Exercise, Nutrition, Do-it) for seven to 13 year olds, Sporty Tots courses for two to five year olds and HENRY (Health Exercise and Nutrition for the Really Young).

For more information, go to the Change4Life website at www.nhs.uk/Change4life