We’ll tell you if your child is obese, parents are told

7:10am Tuesday 5th August 2008

Comments (3)   Have your say »

Some Bradford parents could soon be receiving letters telling them their children are obese, following the release of new Government guidance on combating weight problems among young people.

To encourage involvement by parents in keeping children healthy, the Government wants primary care trusts (PCTs) to send out results of youngsters who are weighed and measured at primary school.

It has already been backed by 40 per cent of the country’s PCTs which have said they will be contacting parents in the new school year, but Bradford & Airedale PCT is among those still undecided.

The PCT uses data from The National Child Measurement Programme to help health services spot trends and reduce childhood obesity, but parents are not told the results unless they ask.

The district’s 2006-07 weigh-in checked measurments of 81 per cent of children checked in Year Six, showing 13.6 per cent were overweight and 19.5 per cent were obese. And of the 85 per cent of reception class pupils who were weighed, 12.6 per cent were overweight and 10.7 per cent obese.

Jane Thompson, Bradford and Airedale Teaching PCT’s public health manager in obesity prevention, said: “We have been waiting for this guidance to come and now there will have to be full discussions to decide what would be best and what the implications would be.”

Health minister Ivan Lewis said: “This important move isn’t about pointing the finger and telling parents that their children are overweight. Instead, it’s about equipping parents with the information they need to help their children live healthier lives.”

Obesity and exercise expert Professor Paul Gately, who runs a weight-loss camp for children at Apperley Bridge’s Woodhouse Grove school, said he was “totally supportive”, but warned the tone would have to be “just right” so parents did not feel blamed. He said “quality” support would have to be established.

The PCT already works in partnership with organisations including Bradford Council to provide healthy eating and exercise information. The PCT is recruting staff so it can join MEND, a national scheme due to start in Bradford in October.