Children aged four targeted in schools drive to tackle obesity

The Government launched the National Child Measurement Programme in 2005 and for the last two years, letters have been sent to parents of 10- and 11-year-olds in Sheffield.

But this year, health chiefs in the city have decided to extend the scheme to include the youngest schoolchildren in what they say is a bid to stop children getting fat in the first place.

Letters sent out under the programme inform parents of their child's height and weight and include information about support that is available for children who are overweight.

Families are provided with information on the Sheffield Watch It obesity programme and a series of awareness raising events that will take place in the summer as part of the Sheffield Change4Life programme.

NHS Sheffield said the programme wasn't about "labelling" children, but helping give parents the advice they need in order to help their children maintain a healthy lifestyle.

A health improvement worker for NHS Sheffield, Bethan Plant, said: "We already know that being overweight has become more and more normal for us as a society.

"We're less sensitive to what is and isn't a healthy weight - so in some parts of the country parents have been shocked to receive letters telling them their son or daughter is overweight.

"The letters are therefore designed to be a guide to what their son or daughter's weight ideally should be – so that parents/carers can support their children to maintain a healthy weight.

"We want to encourage families to lead a healthy lifestyle, through providing children with a healthy diet and 60 minutes of physical activity each day. Families who follow this approach will ensure that their children are getting the best start in life."

Pupil Harriet Groves, now 12, signed up to the Watch It programme after receiving a letter last year. She said: "We received the letter through the post that had lots of useful information in and a leaflet for the Watch It programme.

"I went along to my local Watch It Group with my mum to meet the trainers, and some other children involved in the programme, and they told us how they could help me to lose weight and lead a more active lifestyle.

"Since beginning the programme, I have learned to eat more reasonably-sized portions of food. The support from my trainer on the programme is great – we look at different aspects of eating, especially how to eat less.

"I also get support from my family which really helps me to keep motivated. Some members of my family have also learned about how to eat less."

The Watch It programme is available to children across the city who are identified as overweight and offers individual guidance and personalised programmes on nutrition, exercise and behaviour in the community setting.

The director of Carnegie Weight Management which is providing some of the workshops for young people affected by obesity, Prof Paul Gately, said yesterday: "We are delighted to be able to offer a range of training and awareness sessions as part of the Sheffield Let's Change4Life programme.

"These sessions will act as a further support tool for families that will have received letters as part of the National Child Measurement Programme.

"It will also be a great opportunity for anyone interested in healthy lifestyles to come along and find out how they can build healthier attitudes and behaviours within their own homes and workplace."