OBESITY in year six pupils reached 19.5 per cent in 2013 in Swindon.

This represents a slight increase since 2006-2007 when obesity prevalence was 17.3 per cent.

For reception year the prevalence was 10.2 per cent in the 2012/13 school year.

The prevalence rose from 9.8 per cent in 2006/07.

A council spokesman said: “A number of new programmes are being developed in Swindon schools and the wider community which will encourage an increase in physical activity and the consumption of a healthy diet.

“These include a new Department for Education project aiming to increase take-up of school meals (including Free School Meals) in Primary and Secondary schools, national PE and sports premium funding of £9,000/year/primary school for the next 3 years; active travel programmes in schools, free school meals for reception, year 1 and year 2, starting September 2014 and on-going work to improve school meals nutritional quality in Swindon. We also have an early years obesity prevention programme.”