SCHOOL KIDS WEIGH-IN

Under new government plans to fight childhood obesity, the Department of Health is considering school “weigh-ins” for children aged 4 and 10 years old, where parents will be warned if their kids are overweight. Apparently a similar pilot scheme is currently running in the U.S., where pupil’s weight is graded as being “within safe limits”, “out of shape” or “obese”. The kids are weighed before they start primary school and when they leave. Don’t get me wrong I’m all for healthy kids but I’m not sure if this is the right way to go about it. In a society where we are already bombarded with the media’s stereotype of “the perfect body size and shape”, there is every chance it could backfire. Kids should be allowed to enjoy their childhood and not become obsessed with their weight and what they can and can’t eat. This will only lead to the rise of eating disorders like bulimia and anorexia. I’m sure nobody wants to see that happen.