NEW national targets to reduce sugar in foods aimed at children by 20 per cent over the next four years have been unveiled by the government as part of its plans to tackle childhood obesity.

It is hoped the move will reduce the growing numbers of primary school age children who are classed as overweight across the country - with at least one in three youngsters in Barrow and Copeland reaching an unhealthy weight by the time they leave Year Six.

But leading Furness headteacher and anti-poverty campaigner, Caroline Walker, said while new government targets on sugar are to be welcomed, more must be done to make fresh fruit and vegetables cheaper, as well as ensuring families have the skills needed to make healthier lifestyle choices.

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Mrs Walker, of the Parkside GGI Academy, said: "Reducing the amount of sugar in foods is a step in the right direction, but we need to make sure that fresh food is more accessible to families on low incomes too.

"Lots of families here in Barrow want to make healthier choices but they don't always have the skills they need, such as being able to cook fresh food."

Mrs Walker, a steering group member of the Furness Poverty Commission, added: "Schools in Barrow are doing lots to make sure children do two hours of exercise each week, but are also providing a challenge for families to get involved with activities such as baking together or an autumn walk.

"Families are on board and are willing to do what they can to support their child but we need to make sure they know how best to do this."

In 2014/15, 35.9 per cent of all Year six children in Barrow were either overweight or obese with the proportion reaching 36.1 per cent in Copeland.

In South Lakeland, which includes Ulverston, the figure was lower at 28.1 per cent.

The national average was 33.2 per cent.

The government hopes to see a five per cent reduction in the amount of sugar in a range of products such as breakfast cereals, yogurts, puddings and ice-cream over the next year as part of its childhood obesity strategy.

A series of high levels meetings between Department of Health ministers and food industry bosses are to begin next month in a bid to help drive the target of a 20 per cent reduction in sugar by 2020.

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Duncan Selbie, chief executive of Public Health England, said: "It’s shocking that a third of children leaving primary school are overweight or obese.

"We need take action now to ensure more children do not continue down that path into adulthood and suffer serious health complications as a result."

High sugar - the facts

No more than five per cent of daily calories should come from added sugars.

But research shows children in the UK get around 12 to 16 per cent of their daily calories from sugar.

Sugar gives our bodies calories which, if not used, convert to fat.

Biscuits, some breakfast cereals, pasta sauces, cakes, chocolates, sweets, fizzy drinks and fruit juice are all considered high in sugar.

While these things are OK as treats, it's healthier to swap them on a day to day basis for things like fruit and vegetable sticks, oatcakes, granary toast or porridge with berries.