An attempt to discover how fat British children are has been hampered by the refusal of many families to take part in the study. Only 48 per cent of children in the three age groups ? school starters, aged four to five and 10 to 11 ? were weighed for the National Childhood Obesity Database.
The figures revealed by the Association of Public Health Observatories said it was likely heavier children opted out of the tests, as they were voluntary.
It was designed to gather information, not to offer overweight children support, but the government still found the outcome disappointing.
The report was compiled by the Association of Public Health Observatories for the Department of Health.