CHILD obesity in Thurrock is above the national average, according to figures by Public Health England.

In new reports from the health agency show that in Thurrock in 2016 21.3 per cent, of children in Year six at primary school, that is, 409, were classified as obese.

That is worse than the average for England.

A report for 2015 shows that for that year 22.1 per cent of children were classified as obese, again worse than the average for England.

The 2016 health report for children also states that the rate of alcohol-specific hospital stays among those under 18 was 13.5, better than the average for England. This represents five stays per year.

Across the South Essex authorities with a total population of almost 700,000, Public Health England also recorded 25,600 children were living in low income households.

The 2016 Public Health England report outlines priorities that need work for Thurrock these are reducing excess weight, and reducing smoking among adults.

Veronica Sellors, of Rosedale Road, Grays, said she is not shocked by the latest figures.

She added: "I think that everybody should be taking responsibility for children being over weight.

"I also think that we should be looking at food manufacturers who maybe putting bad stuff in our food far too often.

"There are lots of contributing factors, parents are spending too much money on the wrong foods sometimes and we should be making and cooking more fresh food.

"We do not do enough exercise and I think that people should be getting up off the sofa and being more active."

A spokesperson for Thurrock Clinical Commissioning Group said: “These figures provide a useful snapshot of the public health issues facing our local population and help us to shape services that meet the needs of our residents. "We are aware of the challenges in reducing obesity rates for Year Six children. There is no instant solution and this will take time and collaboration on behavioural change, provision of public health services, school and family initiatives to improve the situation in the long-term.”

James Halden, councillor for education and health, said: “Early intervention is at the heart of our recently updated Health and Wellbeing Strategy and the innovative approach to delivering services for children.

“With that number of Thurrock children in Year 6 classed as obese, we recognise the difficulties there are around reducing the number of young people with obesity and are working collaboratively with partners to get this moving in the right direction.

“This administration has recently approved the procurement of a new Healthy Lifestyles Service, which will invest £2.9 million over five years to bring together services like weight management and NHS Health Checks.

“We want to make a concerted effort to break the cycle of generational health issues, which is why the Healthy Lifestyles provider will be mandated to work with children as well as adults.

“Thurrock primary schools are increasingly taking part in the Daily Mile. We now have 30 per cent of schools involved in this daily exercise programme, which has been shown to reduce child obesity as well as improving concentration levels and behaviour.

“The council is also putting in place an ambitious twenty-first century model of health and wellbeing services for children and young people – creating a holistic service, which is easier for families to access.

“We are also taking advantage of the vast programme of regeneration in Thurrock, to build healthy environments for the future - which will help people to live physically active lives.”