Letters with children's weight sent to parents
Monday, 04 Aug 2008 15:13
Letters will inform parents about their child's weight and height
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From September parents of primary school children could be sent information about their child's height and weight in the post.
Primary care trusts (PCTs) will be urged to send the information so that parents do not have to ask for it, health minister Ivan Lewis announced on Monday.
He said the move is designed to help parents understand more about their child's health.
Research has shown that most parents of overweight or obese children think that their child is a healthy weight.
The information in the letters will come from the National Child Measurement Programme, which aims to gauge the UK's obesity problem and improve health.
It weighs and measures the height of all primary school children in reception class and year six.
At this stage, about 40 per cent of local primary health care trusts have said they intend to automatically contact parents in the next school year, and a further 40 per cent will decide when they see the new guidance issued today.
"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," Mr Lewis claimed.
Children's minister Kevin Brennan added: "Schools are well placed to make a real difference in tackling obesity - with record investment in sport and exercise; encouraging active travel to and from home; making cooking compulsory in secondary schools; scrapping junk food and transforming the quality of school lunches.
"But at the end of the day, parents bring up children, not the government, schools or health services. Every parent wants their child to be fit and healthy so it's only right to help them make informed decisions about their lives."