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Children in deprived Sefton areas suffering stunted growth The study examined the health of 47,000 children Children living in the most deprived areas of Sefton are more likely to have stunted growth than their peers in more affluent areas, a new study has shown. The study looked at health data from almost 47,000 children aged four to five and 10 to 11, between 2013 and 2023, finding that children living in the most deprived areas of the borough were more likely to be shorter than expected for their age. One in 41 Reception-aged pupils in the most deprived areas of Sefton had stunted growth, compared to one in 72 in the least deprived 20% of areas. For Year 6 pupils, one in 62 had stunted growth in the poorest parts of the borough, compared to one in 122 in the most affluent. The study also explored the possible reasons for the greater instances of stunting, such as low birth weight, being born early, lower rates of breastfeeding, food insecurity and poorer access to healthcare. In older children, these factors appeared to explain much of the link between deprivation and stunted growth, although the results cannot be taken as absolute proof, the study said. The research was carried out by former Sefton Council trainee public health consultant Dr Tim Martin and has been published in the Journal of Public Health. Dr Martin told the ECHO that he carried out the study as part of his master’s in public health, during his training to become a consultant, for which he completed a placement with Sefton Council. He said: “I was interested in inequalities in child health outcomes. I’d previously done some work in low and middle income countries where poor childhood growth and what’s classified as stunting is more common. “We’d also seen that there had been some research showing that growth for children in the UK had been slowing compared to other European countries. I suppose this would coincide with the times of austerity and then the Covid-19 pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis. “So we thought it would be good to explore this a bit further, and that Sefton itself would be a good place because we’ve got very deprived areas in the south, like Bootle, with high rates of child poverty. Then in the north of the borough we’ve got many more affluent suburban areas around Formby. “That contrast represents the wider inequalities across the country, but in a smaller area.” He said that the study came while Sefton Council was devising its child poverty strategy, so being able to reflect the impacts of deprivation through such a tangible measure as height would: “Show why it’s really important that we address child poverty. “The thing about childhood growth is that it is a really important indicator of overall child health. It can be related to increased risk of chronic health conditions, and in some cases, premature mortality. It’s got links with educational outcomes as well.” He said that his research was not able to establish that child poverty was the direct cause of stunted growth in the children where it was recorded, but: “It highlights the need for more research into these areas, and the negative impacts of child poverty and the need to mitigate and address them. “That is particularly important at the moment when we’ve got a cost-of-living crisis, and some families aren’t able to afford essentials that they need for good health. It’s making it difficult for children to have the best start in life.” Sefton Council has been carrying out work aimed at “poverty-proofing” the school day, making sure that all children can learn no matter what is going on at home, as well as auto-enrollment for free school meals for eligible pupils. It also promotes the NHS Healthy Start food voucher and vitamin scheme for pregnant women and the families of young children. Dr Martin added that parents most likely do not need to be concerned by the study’s findings on a personal level, “because even in the most deprived portion of the population, stunted growth is still very rare.” However, if families are concerned about their child’s growth, they should contact their GP, health visitor or midwife in the case of babies. Cllr Joanne Williams, Sefton Council’s Cabinet member for public health and wellbeing, said: “Although we hear a lot about inequalities caused by obesity, before Tim’s study little attention has been paid to the impact growing up in a poor community can have on children’s height, which makes this an important new piece of research. “It also confirms the importance of our anti-poverty work, which includes promoting the Healthy Start scheme for pregnant mums and young children and the support we provided to ensure children have access to food meals during the school holidays.” Sefton Council has a family life toolkit with information for parents, carers and children on the help available to them should they need it.