Nearly 40 per cent of Year 6 pupils in Bexley are overweight or obese, according to a report.

Bexley's figure is worse than the national average of 34 per cent and so a new five-year plan is being developed to deal with the borough's "obesity epidemic".

The number of overweight year six pupils is above the average for London, and has risen by two per cent on the year before. 

According to a report, which will be heard by councillors on Thursday night, in 2015/16 there were 1,805 hospital admissions in which obesity was a factor.

This has doubled since 2013/14 when there were just 981 admissions.

The report follows on from The Great Weight Debate last year which asked residents what changes they wanted to see to address childhood obesity.

According to the council's report: "Many residents spoke about the amount of takeaways near them, some spoke about not having healthy alternatives when eating out, others highlighted the access to physical activity while others mentioned support in terms of care pathways."

According to the report, 60 per cent of adults in Bexley are overweight or obese.

A spokesman for Bexley Clinical Commissioning Group, which is the NHS body responsible for the planning and commissioning of healthcare services for the local area, said: "We are working with Bexley Council on an obesity prevention strategy as it recognises the importance of healthy weight to health, as well as wellbeing.

"It is well known that the more overweight someone is, the more likely they are to need health interventions.

"Strategy documents identify the targeting of childhood obesity and overweight as a priority, as it is also recognised that overweight children often go on to become overweight and obese adults."

The NHS estimates that in 2014/15, £6.1 billion was spent on overweight and obesity-related illnesses - and wider impacts of obesity cost society a huge £27 billion.

In light of these figures, a new five-year strategy will be developed following another consultation later this year to help prevent obesity.

The plan is being developed by the council along with the CCG.