Schools in the UK have launched their own campaign to help combat the growing problem of childhood obesity by enacting a policy to both weigh and measure all students between the ages of 4 and 5 at the beginning of primary school and then again when they move on to secondary school at around 10 and 11 years of age. Schools in the US already have such a policy in place to weigh and measure students at this crucial age, but is it really making a difference?

Many parents and experts are concerned that this weighing and measuring will only intensify the stigma associated with being overweight, possibly leading to an increase in playground bullying and the potential for the development of eating disorders in the children affected. Financial and budgetary considerations are also being argued, with many people stating that parents should be able to see that their children are overweight without being told so by the school, allowing funding allotted for these programs to be put to better use.

So what can parents do to help their children maintain a healthy weight?

It’s essential for parents to take the feelings of their children seriously. If they are experiencing bullying at school, parents will only add to the problem by nagging about weight issues at home, which will have the effect of increasing the child’s perception of failure and isolation.

Instead, parents could set a good example by cooking healthy meals, and refrain from indulging in junk food themselves. Although it is important to allow the occasional treat, as being too strict will only cause problems. If the entire family works together to improve everyone’s eating habits, then children won’t feel singled out and picked on.

But the focus shouldn’t be limited to food, as exercise is also an important component in maintaining a healthy weight. While food is an essential part of life, making it the sole topic of discussion will only be counterproductive and encourage resistance. Being continuously reprimanded because of their weight and overeating increases the likelihood of developing a negative attitude concerning food.

This is why it is important to focus on other things that you enjoy doing as a family that will not cause stress or worry.

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