After a turbulent 16 months, let's not restart the weigh-in programme in schools - it does more harm than good, argues mum-of-two Jacqui Paterson

(Image: Getty)

"Are you eating AGAIN? Where do you put it all?"

It’s something people say without even thinking – you might even have said it yourself. Except, sometimes, the person you say it to does think about it – a lot.

In fact, they think about it endlessly, churning it over and over in their heads until they’ve deciphered what they think is the real meaning behind your throwaway comment: they eat too much.

A thoughtless (or even well-meaning) remark, online message or overheard comment can set someone on a downward spiral of doubt that, in time, can lead to a serious issue with food.

As a mum of two girls, aged 10 and 12, I’ve tried hard to not frame weight in a negative light and to always talk about eating well and exercising for health and wellbeing, not to satisfy the scales. But it’s hard in a world that sometimes seems obsessed with weight.

Have you let your kids take part in the school weigh-in programme? Let us know in the comments below

National Child Measurement Programme takes the weight and height of children in Reception and Year 6

National Child Measurement Programme takes the weight and height of children in Reception and Year 6(Image: Getty Images/Image Source)

The pre- and early teen years are already tumultuous – children are edging out of their parents’ protective bubble. School work is getting more intense and friendships becoming more complicated. Chuck in hormones, changing bodies and unrealistic social media pressure, and it’s a supremely self-conscious time.

It’s the perfect storm for damaging thoughts to sneak in through the confidence cracks and put down roots, which is exactly why I’m in two minds about the plans to restart weight checks at primary school.

The National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP) measures the height and weight of schoolchildren in Reception and Year 6. Those deemed to be either under or overweight are flagged up, and parents are notified by letter and given access to support and resources that can help bring their children’s weight back within the medically accepted healthy range. Alternatively, they can take that knowledge and implement their own diet and lifestyle changes.

The information is also used by the NHS and local councils to gauge the prevalence of childhood obesity, allowing them to respond with better health services.

Paused during the pandemic, the programme is about to start up again and I’ve seen a lot of pushback from parents on social media.

While I agree that it’s vitally important to monitor and tackle rising levels of childhood obesity – which can go on to cause serious health issues in adulthood – I’m clearly not the only person worried about the pressure this could put on our children, particularly after a year of exceptional stress and strain.

Although the checks are done privately and results sent directly to parents (allowing us to decide whether to share them with our children, or not), it’s unrealistic to think the school gossip grapevine won’t go into overdrive and that kids won’t grab the chance to rib each other about potential results. It only takes one comment to pierce a child’s confidence and make an impact that could last a lifetime.

Children in Year 6 are already dealing with so much, what with exams, hormones and the stress of the pandemic(Image: Getty Images)

The British Psychological Society’s Division of Educational and Child Psychology, is also cautious.

“We are concerned about the news that there are plans to return to regular weigh-ins for primary school children. While we recognise the very real need to ensure children are healthy and tackle obesity, there are concerns about using the blunt instrument of weighing a child to determine this," it said, adding that a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach could actually worsen the problem because psychology, environmental, social and biological factors all play a part in weight-gain.

“Shame does not motivate people or help them to make sustainable changes to their lives. By weighing children there is a danger we put a negative focus on body image at an incredibly young and impressionable age, which could lead to unhealthy relationships with food and body image throughout their life.”

Instead, it says the focus should be on initiatives and policies that ensure families can afford good quality nutritious food, offering support to those who require school meals and guidance on how to lead a healthier lifestyle.

“It is vitally important that play and physical activity is encouraged and prioritised within the school day. All children need to be able to access safe places to play and take part in physical activity, both inside and outside of the school setting.”

Mother-of-two, Kate Kirk from Loughton, Essex, used to oppose the NCMP but thinks the unique events of this past year have made it much more important, and wishes her reception-aged daughter HAD been able to take part in the weigh-in.

“I think the pandemic has had such a huge effect on our children’s physical and mental health and I want there to be the data to support more investment in sports for schools,’ she explains.

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Penny Dent from Luton, Bedfordshire agrees too, believing that information will be useful for the NHS also to ensure the right level of funding is divvied out to schools for sports and healthy eating programmes. And while she doesn’t like the idea of labelling of children as obese or underweight, she sees the benefit to identifying children and families who might need extra advice and support.

Clearly, there are two very valid sides ‘weighing in’ to the argument and I can see the benefits to both. However, as a mum of two impressionable girls – including one who will potentially take part in the NCMP next year – I’d like to see less emphasis on weight and more on exercise, lifestyle and diet.

It’s in everyone’s interests to ensure our children start as they mean to go on, and grow up to be confident, healthy, well-balanced adults.

Jacqui Paterson is a mum of two daughters and blogs at jacquipaterson.com

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'Scrap the school weigh-ins now - they can give kids life-long issues around food'