Parents could be sent an official warning if their children are obese under plans being considered by the government.

All children are weighed at five and 10 years old as part of the National Child Measurement Programme. Parents can currently request the measurements but under proposals being considered by the Department of Health, this information could be sent to parents automatically if their child is overweight, according to reports in The Times.

“The programme is a vital part of engaging with children and families about healthy lifestyles and weight issues,” a Department of Health spokesman told the paper. “We need to take this farther and help parents to understand the importance of healthy weight for their family.”

Topics