The London Health Observatory (LHO) analysed data from the national child measurement programme collected between 2006 and 2008, and found that 22 per cent of 10- and 11-year-olds and 11 per cent of 4- to 5-year-olds were at risk of obesity.
This is the highest prevalence of all English regions for both year groups. Out of 31 primary care trusts in London 21 had a prevalence of obesity, far higher than the national average.
The LHO report, called Weighty Matters, also found that the risk was greater among boys and among those from the poorest local authority areas.
In reception year the risk of obesity ranged from between six per cent in more affluent areas, and 14 per cent in areas with high social deprivation.
Children from black and ethnic minority communities were also at greater risk of obesity, the research found.
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