The county councillor who oversees health in Warwickshire has questioned whether "blame letters" are the most effective way of tackling worsening childhood obesity. 

Performance data published by Warwickshire County Council shows that more than a third – 35.2 per cent – of 10-11 year olds are considered overweight or obese. 

No target has been attributed to the measure that is a part of the authority's child friendly Warwickshire strategy aimed at keeping children happy, healthy and safe, but the report confirms it is "not on track" in this area with performance "declining". 

New Labour group leader Cllr Sarah Feeney last week told the council's cabinet – the panel of Conservative councillors in charge of major service areas – that she had been "struck" by the figure, finding it "quite a worry".

Leader Cllr Izzi Seccombe reflected on a national trend that the government had tried to intervene in through introducing taxation on sugary drinks. 

"It is very unfortunate," she said. 

"We have done quite a lot over the years around schools, particularly primary schools, around the daily mile (a national initiative encouraging children to cover a mile through exercise each day), taking out the machines with sugary drinks to try to help.

"But of course, that is down to local choice in schools because a lot of schools get resource out of that."

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Cllr Margaret Bell, portfolio holder for adult social care and health, also referred to the child measurement programme that takes place in schools where body mass index (BMI) is calculated.

"I have been talking to our public health colleagues about the letter that goes out if your child is found to be overweight. It sometimes has a negative effect," she said. 

"You can use the data but can we use it in order to target resources? I think sending a blame letter out isn't always the right thing to do. 

"This is a government programme and I think there is some flexibility in it so we are talking about how to do that."