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| Child weight data for parents row | Child weight data for parents row |
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| 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. | 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. | 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. | 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, based on BMI, which he called vague and confusing. | 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, based on BMI, which he called vague and confusing. |
| I find this whole approach from the Department of Health a bit prissy and namby pamby Tam FryNational Obesity ForumHealth Minister Calculate your BMI | |
| Ministers have also advised that the word "obese" should not be used in any letters sent to parents. | |
| The heaviest children should be referred to as being "very overweight", they said, as use of the term "obese" may be counter-productive, turning parents off the key message. | The heaviest children should be referred to as being "very overweight", they said, as use of the term "obese" may be counter-productive, turning parents off the key message. |
| 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. |
| Mr Lewis said: "Research shows that most parents of overweight or obese children think that their child is a healthy weight. | Mr Lewis 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." |
| 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. |
| However, 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. | 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." | "That is total rubbish." |
| Mr Fry said he had tested the scale which will be provided, and found it vague, and inaccurate. | |
| He also criticised the decision to refrain from use of the term "obese". | |
| Shock value | |
| "I find this whole approach from the Department of Health a bit prissy and namby pamby. | |
| "The Americans have gone back to using the term because it's the kind of shock word that makes parents sit up and take notice." | |
| A Department of Health spokesperson said the sliding scale had received positive feedback from parents during tests. | A Department of Health spokesperson said the sliding scale had received positive feedback from parents during tests. |
| "Some parents may find the BMI growth charts confusing and may need someone to explain what they show. | "Some parents may find the BMI growth charts confusing and may need someone to explain what they show. |
| "We want parents to easily understand the results without the need for further explanation, and that is why the sliding scale bar will be used." | "We want parents to easily understand the results without the need for further explanation, and that is why the sliding scale bar will be used." |
| Caroline Butler, of the charity Diabetes UK, welcomed the government's move. | Caroline Butler, of the charity Diabetes UK, welcomed the government's move. |
| She said: "Parents need to be educated about the dangers of obesity and obesity-related conditions such as Type 2 diabetes." | She said: "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. |