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4-year-olds face ‘fat tests’Four-year-olds are to undergo ‘fat tests’ at school, with the parents of obese children warned about possible health risks under new government plans.
Under the Department of Health scheme, children will be weighed and measured at four and ten years in an effort to curb the “epidemic of obesity” that health ministers warn could affect the long-term health of a whole generation.
Parents will be notified of the results of the tests, and will also be warned of the possible health implications that obesity could have for their child.
Although obesity campaigners have welcomed the move, critics of the government plans say that they could result in an increase in the bullying of overweight children, and undermine parents’ authority.
Margaret Morrissey of the National Confederation of Parent Teacher Associations told the Daily Mail that the measures were another example of the workings of the ‘nanny state’, and would have limited effectiveness.
“Parents may say ‘so what?’. If parents have a particular lifestyle and they prefer it, all the letters home in the world will not make a difference,” she said.
“This will be extremely expensive to introduce and I do not believe it’s the most efficient way of tackling obesity.”
However, others have voiced their support for the new scheme, arguing that parents have a duty to take more responsibility for the health of their children.
The programme is expected to be introduced in the next school year, but at present parents can refuse to allow their child to be weighed, or can decline to see the results of the tests.
What do people in general think about this? I dont have children at school anymore so it doesn’t personally affect me. I’m not sure whether this is the right approach though.
There could of course, be children at school who the authorities deem to be ”underweight”. will this in itself stir up a complete whole new hornets nest, ie., raising questions about parents of the children who are! or appear, in their opinion to be underweight.
All 3 of my girls fall in the “underweight” category, they eat me out of house and home especially the twins, so I wonder what the authorities would make of that un
@*Dawny* wrote:
All 3 of my girls fall in the “underweight” category, they eat me out of house and home especially the twins, so I wonder what the authorities would make of that un
My son was the same Dawny. That’s what I mean too, would mine have been, and your parenting skills be called into question in that respect :roll: Makes you wonder eh :roll:
Hows married life btw, still on honeymoon you two are you :lol: :lol:
They should only worry about the children that are clearly and visually overweight or underweight, weights for children have only ever been a guideline for health workers. I’m always advocating good welfare for children, and making sure children are well-cared for, but there are limits!! Some children that were *podgy* in their childhood pictures often grow up to be adults of a normal weight!! We have so many images and idealisms in the media today as it is, are these children going to end up the next generation of youngsters to grow up with a complex about their weight because of a test they took as a 4-year old?? They should think very clearly before embarking on such campaigns!!
@Tory Girl wrote:
They should only worry about the children that are clearly and visually overweight or underweight, weights for children have only ever been a guideline for health workers. I’m always advocating good welfare for children, and making sure children are well-cared for, but there are limits!! Some children that were *podgy* in their childhood pictures often grow up to be adults of a normal weight!! We have so many images and idealisms in the media today as it is, are these children going to end up the next generation of youngsters to grow up with a complex about their weight because of a test they took as a 4-year old?? They should think very clearly before embarking on such campaigns!!
Couldn’t agree more Tory. It’s bad enough at the moment with girls as young as 7 or 8, worrying about their appearance. I have to agree with you that something like this would surely only serve to make that particular area worse. :shock:For a lot of reasons, my own sons diet was such that he was underweight, not by much, but still underweight. He’s coming up 18 now and his weights pretty healthy now, but it wasn’t as a child.
FFS what a load of cack !!!!!!!
Loads of kids are fat then skinny then fat again – it’s part of growing up – when they get older they ccan decide for themselves how they want to look – it’s better being fat than bloody anorexic
I’m all for parents taking responsibilty for what their children eat etc, but this taking of measurements and weighing concerns me. My daughter is 5, and she is above average height, she is well built as both my husband and I are tall. The last thing I want for my daughter is to be self-conscious or overly body conscious, its so damaging. I encourage healthy eating at home and make sure she has a healthy packed lunch to take to school, weight is not an issue at home. Young girls seem to mature so much quicker these days, dieting young etc. and I think this scheme will only add to the pressure of being “thin”.
@*Dawny* wrote:
All 3 of my girls fall in the “underweight” category, they eat me out of house and home especially the twins, so I wonder what the authorities would make of that un
unlike their mum
@cas wrote:
@*Dawny* wrote:
All 3 of my girls fall in the “underweight” category, they eat me out of house and home especially the twins, so I wonder what the authorities would make of that un
My son was the same Dawny. That’s what I mean too, would mine have been, and your parenting skills be called into question in that respect :roll: Makes you wonder eh :roll:
Hows married life btw, still on honeymoon you two are you :lol: :lol:
I choose to ignore the insensitive cretin above me :roll:
Married life is fab Cas thanx, still on the “honeymoon” period :lol:
Well I’m in favour of the general idea of getting the country fitter and healthier. We should be encouraging people to eat healthier food and do more physical activity. In the long-term it’s better for them.
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