Gravesham has the fifth highest percentage of fat reception age children in the UK.

A whopping 28% of four to five-year-olds in the borough are overweight or obese.

The national average is 22.6% while worst performing Barrow-in-Furness’ score was 31.5%.

The figures, released by the National Child Measurement Programme for England and based on children from all state schools, have led Public Health England to call for urgent action to address the problem which can light the fuse to a lifetime of health issues.

The north performed particularly badly and is home to seven of the 10 worst areas. Gravesham had the second highest level in the south.

There was also a 16% gulf between lower income and higher income areas, with those from poor backgrounds far more likely to be overweight.

A shocking 12.5% of children in the borough were classed as obese.

In Kent and neighbouring Dartford the percentage was also higher than the national average at 24.4% and 24.9% respectively.

"We need sustained actions to tackle poor diets and excess calorie intakes" - Dr Alison Tedstone

Dr Alison Tedstone, chief nutritionist at PHE, said: “Children are living in households with parents who have an obesity problem themselves, so there are ingrained obesity habits.

“They deserve a healthy future and these figures are a reminder that addressing childhood obesity requires urgent action.

“There is no single solution to reverse what’s been decades in the making.

"We need sustained actions to tackle poor diets and excess calorie intakes.”

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt said in 2015 that he would ensure the ‘great scandal’ of childhood obesity was one of his main priorities but campaigners criticised last year’s childhood obesity plan – which included the controversial ‘sugar tax’ – for being heavily watered down.

Allison Duggall, KCC deputy director for public health, said: "Based on the recent NCMP figures for 2016/17, whilst levels of excess weight in reception year in Gravesham were higher than the south east and national average, these are subject to annual fluctuation, which means that it is likely that the results will be different when the next set of results are published.

"Obesity tends to track into adulthood, so obese children are more likely to become obese adults. The best way to tackle obesity is to eat a healthy, reduced-calorie diet and to exercise regularly.

"Our local priorities focus on changeable factors such as helping families to improve poor diets and help for those who need to lose and maintain a healthy weight.

"The best way to tackle obesity is to eat a healthy, reduced-calorie diet and to exercise regularly..." - KCC deputy director of public health Allison Duggall

"We also have evidence that Kent’s adult population is becoming more inactive and it’s imperative that we act early to raise awareness of the services available and support people to change their behaviours.

"This includes backing campaigns like Sugar Smart and encouraging school programmes that promote a healthy lifestyle.

"It is important to tackle this issue across the county and through a whole system of services. Wider services can play their part in raising the issue of healthy weight and provide information about local support. It is crucial that all resources are tapped.

"We support national initiatives and campaigns such as Change4Life and One You plus a range of services and activities are underway across the county. "Midwives, health visitors, children’s centre staff and the schools nursing team have a crucial role in the Healthy Child programme, which is aimed at getting every child off to the best start in life.

"In all district localities, there is a National Child Measurement Group, which is working with schools and local partners on universal and targeted interventions to improve nutrition, increase physical activity and improve the self-esteem of children."