We know that obesity rates double during primary school years and increase further in secondary. The Health Survey for England 2017 on Adult and Child Overweight and Obesity noted that 36% boys and 44% of girls aged 13 to 15 were overweight or obese.
While parents have the foremost responsibility to monitor their children’s diet and weight and to influence their eating habits, schools also have a role in equipping young people with the knowledge they need to lead a healthy lifestyle and creating an environment which encourages their pupils to eat healthily and be physically active.