Public Health say there's a 'sustained difference in weight status by school fee status' and that this is a worrying health inequality.
The link between a low income and ill health and obesity is well known to Public Health professionals across the western world.
But in Guernsey it is becoming more noticeable and this concerns Alex Hawkins-Drew from Public Health:
"It is not to do with something particular schools are doing or not doing, but rather about the broader environments and conditions in which children grow up: those from more affluent backgrounds tend to have better health outcomes - this is true for many different measures.
"Working with our partners in the Health Improvement Commission, we will continue to support initiatives that reduce inequalities.”
The Guernsey Child Measurement Programme began in 2013 and records the weight of Year 1s (5 and 6 year olds) and Year 5s (9 and 10 year olds) and looks for long term trends.
This year's primary school measurement programme had a 94% uptake, the best in years.
But Public Health say there is evidence of increasing excess weight among Year 1s, or 5 and 6 year olds.
Previously, there had been little change, but now 21% weigh above their ideal BMI with half being overweight and half classed as obese.
In Year 5s - or 9 to 10 year olds - the figures over time are relatively static, but nearly 30% are overweight.
Across the two groups, 294 children were identified as being overweight to a varying degree.
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