Children as young as four are weighed in schools under The National Child Measurement Programme, established in 2006. And, since 2010, parents/carers receive mandatory feedback on their children’s results. This is being used as evidence for the need of the UK’s “Obesity Strategy”. This HAS to stop.
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It encourages parents to talk to their child about their weight. So, a child may be told by their parents that they “need to lose weight”, opening up more possibility for children to develop eating disorders/disordered eating.
Something being considered is children being weighed when they go back to school in September, reinforcing all of this!
Instead, maybe teach children about nutrition, without telling them they’re X due to their size/weight?
Around 1.25m people in the UK have an eating disorder, and although most develop during adolescence, there are cases in children as young as 6. (beateatingdisorders)
I’ve spoken to many who’re upset by this, many of whom have suffered since being weighed.
Children deserve more than to be taught that weight is the most important thing!