Bosses miss target as number of obese pupils on the increase

The number of children aged 10 and 11 who have been assessed as being medically overweight has risen in the last two years, which has meant that health bosses have missed their target for bringing the figures down.

The numbers of 10 and 11-year-olds classed as obese is now 21 per cent, a rise of two per cent.

Leeds Council and health services bosses had wanted to see the numbers fall from 19 to 18 per cent.

The figures are included in a report to Leeds Council's Health scrutiny committee, a watchdog body that monitors health figures for the city.

Obesity figures for Leeds are less precise as they are based on Health Survey for England 2003 data.

Based on this information,

the estimated prevalence of obesity in Leeds is put at 152,000 people.

The report says that men and women from unskilled manual groups are four times more likely to be obese than professionals.

The report says: "Obesity is on the increase and is associated with many illnesses, and is directly related to increased mortality and shortened life expectancy."

The report says efforts to reduce the number of people who are dangerously overweight is made difficult by limited resources and the high level of food industry spending on the promotion of unhealthy foods.

Health bosses have launched several ideas to encourage people to exercise and eat better food.

Recent statistics show that over 9,500 children from deprived backgrounds in Leeds have taken part in exercise through the NHS Leeds-funded Active4life scheme. A new scheme has been working with parents of obese five- to 11-year-olds to help them lose weight.

A weight management service is also working in deprived communities where research has suggested there is a higher than average number of overweight people.

Extra money has also been put in to allow morbidly obese people to have surgery.

Free swimming has also been successful, with a 29 per cent increase in visits from people over 60 and a 40 per cent rise in visits by people aged 16 and under in the past year.

The report also contains figures relating to alcohol abuse and the services offered to those who are problem drinkers.

The number of dependent drinkers in treatment in Leeds rose by nearly 100 per cent between 2006/07 and 2008/09 and the St Anne's residential alcohol detoxification service has now reached 100 per cent bed occupancy rates and waiting times remain high.

The report also highlights the continued problem of the gap between rich and poor in

Leeds, which continues to have a knock-on effect on lifestyles and lifespan.

There is a 10-year gap in life expectancy for men living in the City and Hunslet ward compared to those in the Harewood area (71.6 years to 81.7 years) and there is a 9.6 year gap in life expectancy for women in the City and Hunslet ward and the Adel/Wharfedale area (76.1 and 86.7 years).

The statistics suggest that the gap in life expectancy is growing, says the report.

Reducing teenage pregnancies also continues to be a priority in Leeds. The report says more money and leadership could help reduce the number.

"Leeds has a lower investment in community based services for young people to access for their sexual health than leading cities. Nottingham operates 20 sexual health clinics across 12 targeted sites.

Leeds operates six in sites with current concerns about low access by young people."