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| Child weight data for parents row | |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| Children's height and weight measurements taken at schools in England could automatically be sent to their parents from the autumn. | Children's height and weight measurements taken at schools in England could automatically be sent to their parents from the autumn. |
| The Department of Health has urged all Primary Care Trusts to send out the data without waiting for parents to request it, as currently happens. | |
| Ministers believe it could help raise parents' awareness of the importance of a healthy lifestyle for their children. | |
| But an obesity expert said the most useful information was not included. | |
| He said body mass index (BMI) was the best way to assess whether a child was a healthy weight - but instead parents would get a sliding scale, which he called vague and confusing. | |
| This move isn't about pointing the finger and telling parents that their children are overweight Ivan LewisHealth Minister Calculate your BMI | |
| The National Child Measurement Programme weighs and measures the height of all primary school children in reception class (aged four to five) and year six (aged 10-11). | The National Child Measurement Programme weighs and measures the height of all primary school children in reception class (aged four to five) and year six (aged 10-11). |
| So far, around 40% of primary care trusts have already said they intend to send out the information automatically in the next school year. | So far, around 40% of primary care trusts have already said they intend to send out the information automatically in the next school year. |
| A further 40% said they would wait for the Department of Health guidance before making a decision. | A further 40% said they would wait for the Department of Health guidance before making a decision. |
| Eight out of ten children in reception year and year six were weighed and measured in 2006-07. | Eight out of ten children in reception year and year six were weighed and measured in 2006-07. |
| Key information | Key information |
| Ivan Lewis, Health Minister, said research had shown that parents wanted to know their child's results, with the information presented in a clear and non-stigmatising way. | Ivan Lewis, Health Minister, said research had shown that parents wanted to know their child's results, with the information presented in a clear and non-stigmatising way. |
| He said: "Research shows that most parents of overweight or obese children think that their child is a healthy weight. | He said: "Research shows that most parents of overweight or obese children think that their child is a healthy weight. |
| "This move isn't about pointing the finger and telling parents that their children are overweight, instead it is about equipping parents with the information they need to help their children live healthier lives." | "This move isn't about pointing the finger and telling parents that their children are overweight, instead it is about equipping parents with the information they need to help their children live healthier lives." |
| Kevin Brennan, the Children's Minister, said schools were well placed to help tackle obesity. | Kevin Brennan, the Children's Minister, said schools were well placed to help tackle obesity. |
| "But at the end of the day, parents bring up children, not the government, schools or health services. | "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 is only right to help them make informed decisions about their lives." | "Every parent wants their child to be fit and healthy so it is only right to help them make informed decisions about their lives." |
| Figures published earlier this year showed that in 2006/7, 22.9% of children in reception year and 31.6% of those in year six were overweight or obese. | Figures published earlier this year showed that in 2006/7, 22.9% of children in reception year and 31.6% of those in year six were overweight or obese. |
| Call for BMI | |
| However, Dr Tam Fry, of the National Obesity Forum, said the sliding scale with which parents would be provided to assess their child's weight was no substitute for BMI. | |
| He said: "The Department of Health admits in its guidance that BMI is the best and most practical way to assess whether a child is overweight or obese, but then denies parents the actual figures for their children because they say it could be confusing for some. | |
| "That is total rubbish." | |
| Dr Fry said he had tested the scale which will be provided, and found it vague, and inaccurate. | |
| Caroline Butler, of the charity Diabetes UK, welcomed the government's move. | |
| She said: "It is extremely worrying that many parents cannot see if their child is overweight. | She said: "It is extremely worrying that many parents cannot see if their child is overweight. |
| "Parents need to be educated about the dangers of obesity and obesity-related conditions such as Type 2 diabetes." | "Parents need to be educated about the dangers of obesity and obesity-related conditions such as Type 2 diabetes." |
| "Ten years ago Type 2 diabetes in children was unheard of in the UK. Now we have over 1,000 children with the condition, some as young as seven. | "Ten years ago Type 2 diabetes in children was unheard of in the UK. Now we have over 1,000 children with the condition, some as young as seven. |