CHILDREN in affluent West Oxfordshire are among the fattest in the county, recent figures have revealed.

But the statistics are baffling health experts, who usually link obesity with deprivation.

Experts have been trying to work out the reasons behind the higher levels of obesity in the district since the figures were released in January.

NHS Oxfordshire, the county’s primary care trust (PCT), weighs and measures reception year pupils, aged four and five, and Year Six pupils, aged 10 and 11, as part of the National Child Measurement Programme.

The results are then sent to parents along with lifestyle and healthy eating advice if the child is considered over- or underweight.

One in three are classed as overweight or obese by the time they leave primary school in Year Six.

For the first time, this year the figures were broken down to district authority level, with West Oxfordshire reporting 20.5 per cent of reception year children as overweight.

Figures for the rest of the county ranged from 13 per cent in South Oxfordshire to 13.5 per cent in Vale of White Horse.

The national average was, 22.8 per cent.

Beccy Clacy, of NHS Oxfordshire, said: “We have been looking at the figures further to try to understand why this has happened in West Oxfordshire.

“We are confident that all the children who were measured in 2009 were measured correctly.

“However, we still don’t know why there are reportedly higher levels of obesity among children in West Oxfordshire, particulary boys at reception age.

“In affluent areas children tend to have more choice when it comes to fresh fruit and vegetables.

“And children are more likely to access sports clubs as buying kit isn’t a barrier, so levels of obesity are generally lower.”

The trust has organised a special workshop, usually only held on estates in Banbury and Oxford, in Chipping Norton.

Mind Excercise Nutrition Do It (Mend), is aimed at educating parents and children about healthy living and exercise.

Places will be offered free on a first-come, firs-t served basis.For more details, call Judith Yeo on 01865 235421.

awilliams@oxfordmail.co.uk