Primary pupils in England’s poorest areas are four times more likely to be severely obese than in the wealthiest, according to the latest figures.
Overall, the proportion of severely obese Year 6 pupils has risen from 3.6% in 2009-10 to 4.2% in 2017-18.
Obese children are more likely to be bullied, stigmatised and have low self-esteem, Public Health England says.
And they are more likely to stay overweight, raising their risk of heart disease, type-2 diabetes and cancer.
The figures come from the National Child Measurement Programme, which tracks the height and weight of children in state primary schools in England.
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