New data has revealed that one-fifth of Rutland children in their final year of primary school are classed as obese. 

New public health data collected as part of the annual national child measurement programme has found that nearly a quarter (23 percent) of Year 6 children are obese compared to nearly 11 percent of reception children. 

The data also showed that almost 30 percent of children in Year 6 are overweight and a quarter of children in their first year of primary school weigh more than is healthy for them. 

The Ryhall and Casterton ward had the highest number of reception aged obese children, although the data showed that by Year 6 this number had fallen to below average. 

The number of children who are classed as obese in Rutland is slightly above the national average as the national survey found 22 percent of Year 6 children were significantly overweight and 10 percent of reception children. 

More than 90 percent of Rutland children in reception and Year 6 took part in the measurement programme. 280 Rutland reception children took part and 350 Year 6 children. 

The programme takes into account their height and weight and then works out their body fat ratio. 

The issue is on the county council's radar as earlier this summer the authority asked people to take part in a health and weight survey. The results have not yet been made public. 

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Cabinet member for health, Cllr Diane Ellison (Lib Dem – Oakham South), said: "Weight can be a key factor in maintaining a good quality of life throughout adulthood and into old age. 

"Equally, excess weight can contribute to a wide range of illnesses and adverse health conditions. 

"We want to work with partners to help all Rutland residents achieve and maintain a healthy weight. 

"To do this, we need to create a more supportive environment and ensure that services are tackling the right issues." 

Exercise is well known to contribute to a healthy weight, however due to finding budget savings, the authority has recently decided to step back from coordinating a countrywide sports programme which saw competition between local schools. Talks are happening for this to be coordinated by schools instead. 

It also stopped funding a contract for the leisure centre at Oakham, which has reduced access to leisure facilities for some children in the town. 

The latest public health data for the county says that 62 percent of adults in the county are obese.