Is It Wrong To Weigh Children at School? | Loose Women

A mum has expressed anger after receiving a letter from her daughter’s school stating that her BMI was too high, classing her as ‘overweight’. She was outraged at receiving the news via a letter saying her daughter is perfectly healthy. So we’re asking, should children be weighed at school? And how would our women react if they received this letter?

From series 27, broadcast on 07/11/24

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[sailorcheri]

Weighing for the sake of information might be ok, but the whole BMI system is absolute garbage. Weight is just one piece of the puzzle. You have to take in other factors on body type and physical activity, cardiovascular health, strength etc. I just hope it’s done in a respectful way at school, not in front of all their peers.

[jonathan]

Its up to the parents. Would be humiliating for a child to be weighed in school.

[JessicaMacSweeney]

My teacher weighed everyone in my class and called out the result. I was overweight as I was bullied and was an emotional eater. Very wrong to weigh children in school in my opinion.

[anncarter]

I was weighed, measured and our feet were checked….for athletes foot….every term when I went to a grammar school back in the 1950’s so can’t see anything wrong with it. Getting athletes foot was a bonus as meant you didn’t have to have a communal shower after games….every day then!! Surely you want your children to be healthy and to avoid the potential of being different by being overweight?

[rosaleepruett]

Yes ! It’s not any of their businesses!!

[danfrost]

They're there to educate them, not weigh them.

[ttfn]

Ok so to be clear, the school aren't measuring the children, NHS staff come into the school and this is completed in a private area. The school staff are not told any measurements, the children are not told any measurements nor do they see any of the measurements on the day. The information is sent in a letter to parents/guardians and it's entirely up to them how they respond. There is a choice, parents can opt their child out of the measurement program, and children can also opt themselves out if they decide they don't want to take part, no-one is forced to. The measurements are a snapshot of that particular time and date and not anything to be offended by or angry about. The results letter also has information about things you can do and who you contact if you have concerns over your child's results.

[julietbryden]

I’m so sorry for the comment. Reading weight out in front of the class was a bit insensitive. As a suggestion maybe the teacher should have told the child privately. 😮

[kathyhayden]

I totally disagree with this, no weighing. It's up to the parents not school.

[norahn]

Babies are weighed to monitor their growth and health. I don’t think this is any different and as parents, try to consider this as part of making sure that kids are growing up well and healthy.

[theohaywood]

Parents are responsible for their child's health.They feed them, the teachers don't

[Tosca]

They used to weigh kids in the late 70’s early 80’s…my cousin was overweight and was always coming home with letters about his weight

[URFUTUREUK]

No it's not wrong, children need to be kept slim, overweight children will be overweight adults so if the parent can't keep them healthy the school will.

[charlottescott]

I wasn't weighed in school, when did this come into practice?

[IcyAF]

I don't understand why they can't weigh them and tell just the parents the result.

[jasonhawkins]

The school should be looking at body composition as this is more important then weight.

[ΑντωνηςΜανωλαγκας]

Too many children are obese and the parents are to blame

[KingdomofGod-roej]

How about weighing children who are malnourished notice how we are quick as a society to call out children over weight but what about children who are underweight and need help with being fed why isn't anyone caring about this we as a society are more interested in shaming people it should be private conversation between school and parents not naming and shaming naming and shaming is not the answer its better to encourage healthier eating excercise and healthy minds and emotions anything else won't help

[fiona]

As always Nadia has a friend in an obesity clinic 😅

[Northernperfection]

Sounds like something labour would want to enforce