Parents to be officially told if their child is overweight or obese

Oct 22 2007

Obesity in children has reached such levels in Britain that under new government plans parents may be issued with a warning if their children are found to be overweight.

The Department of Health (DoH) already measures all school children in England and Wales at age 5 and 10 but parents are informed of the results only if they request them.

But the latest proposals suggest that the figures may be given to parents automatically and involvement in the measurement scheme may become compulsory.

Experts believe that between a quarter and a third of all children in Britain are overweight and there is very real concern that the country will be facing an epidemic of poor health related to obesity in the future.

On average an obese person dies nine years earlier than somebody of normal weight, while a very obese person's life is cut short by an average of 13 years.

A recent report by the Foresight Programme has argued that dramatic and comprehensive action is required to stop the majority of Brits becoming obese by 2050.

If current trends continue, by then 60% of men and half of all women will be obese and cases of type 2 diabetes will rise by 70%.

The report also suggests that cases of stroke will rise by 30% by the middle of the century and cases of coronary heart disease will rise by 20%.

The proposals will lay the government open to criticism that they will stigmatise fat children but Health Secretary Alan Johnson is insisting that all parents should be sent the information on their child's measurements as a matter of course.

The proposals follow a recent report by the Commons Health Select Committee which has suggested that a generation of children would die before their parents if obesity was not addressed; the report painted a scenario where thousands would lose limbs and sight because of obesity related diabetes.

Mr Johnson says children will continue to be the focus of the national obesity plan as more than 80 per cent of obese 10 to 14-year-olds remain obese into adulthood.

Experts are concerned and some say telling parents their children were too fat "risks stigmatising those who are overweight".

However the Office of the Children’s Commissioner has given the measure a cautious welcome but says they are concerned that parents are given help in the form of a package of support to help them make the necessary changes to lifestyle.

The Department of Health says the programme is a vital part of engaging with children and families about healthy lifestyles and weight issues.