Parents of primary school children will start getting letters in September telling them how fat their children are. But however much they weigh, no child will ever be described as obese.
The Department of Health has found in surveys that the term obese is a turn-off, so instead will use the term “very overweight” for those children whose body mass index exceeds 30, in an attempt to enlist parents’ support.
Primary care trusts have been given a detailed set of instructions, and a sample letter, explaining how to convey to parents the results of the National Child Measurement Programme.
Among other words not to be used is “exercise”. Dr Will Cavendish, Director of Health and Wellbeing at the department, said that this, too, conveyed an unhelpful image to parents. Being “physically active” is preferred.
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