THE number of children in Southend, Rochford and Castle Point who are obese has increased despite a downward trend across the East of England.

An NHS East of England Board meeting heard childhood obesity has reduced in both reception year and Year 6 children across the region.

But in south east Essex the number of children judged to be overweight rose from 16.8 per cent in 2007/08, to 18.1 per cent in 2008/09.

The rise comes despite a series of health initiatives aimed at keeping the weight off.

The schemes include Change4Life, the healthy schools project and the Mend programme, which all offer free lifestyle courses for youngsters aged between seven and 13, and their families.

The National Child Measurement Programme saw almost 90 per cent of schoolchildren in reception and Year 6 classes across the region weighed and measured.

South west Essex, covering Basildon, Billericay and Thurrock, faired better with a slight drop in childhood obesity, from 17.5 per cent to 17.3 per cent over the same period.

Dr Paul Cosford, regional director of public health at NHS East of England, welcomed the figures, which he said were positive overall.

He added: “NHS East of England has pledged to reduce childhood obesity rates.

“We must continue our efforts to shift recent trends from rising rates of childhood obesity, to achieve a step change in reducing rates.

“We must also ensure we continue to offer support and advice with the range of healthy programmes the NHS can offer.”

Predictions from a Government based think-tank, Foresight, revealed an uphill struggle unless the situation is rectified.

In a recent report, it concluded that if national obesity trends are left to rise, then by 2050, 60 per cent of men and 50 per cent of women could be clinically obese at a cost to the NHS and wider economy of £50billion.

NHS South East Essex says it has a comprehensive plan in place to tackle child obesity.

Margaret Gray, associate director of public health, said: “Childhood obesity is definitely an issue in south east Essex.

“In recognition of this, NHS South East Essex formed a local Change4Life partnership last year to promote local initiatives, such as walking, cycling, swimming, active play and school sport, targeted at children.

“We continue to support and develop initiatives which encourage healthy eating in both the home and at school as part of the healthy schools initiative.” New projects developed include free swimming lessons for Year 6 children from six schools in Southend’s Kursaal and Victoria wards.

There are also lunchtime activity sessions for Year 6 children in 16 schools belonging to the South East Schools Sports Partnership, as well as 15 schools in the South West Schools Sports Partnership.

For more information, visit www.nhs.uk/change4life

SCHEMES under way to improve the health and wellbeing of children include:

* Mend: Aimed at families with overweight children aged between 7 and 13. About 120 families have participated in the programme.

* Mini-Mend: A prevention programme open to all families with children aged between two and four, irrespective of a child’s weight, but where parents or carers have a high BMI. This has been introduced in three children’s centres in Southend, plus the 20 per cent most deprived areas in Southend and Canvey.

* Bodycare: 800 Year 6 children have taken part in additional sessions of the programme by Southend United Community and Educational Trust. It promotes active play, healthy eating and changing children’s behaviour.

* Cook4Life: A six-week interactive healthy eating and cookery course for Year 6 children and parents has been delivered in ten schools in Southend. A further ten schools will participate between now and July.

* Active Play: Development of an information leaflet promoting new playgrounds in Southend and encouraging active play.