Vital issue of children and their weight

REGARDING your article “Parents hit at health chiefs after girl, 11, labelled ‘fat’” (Yorkshire Post, August 16), I wish to clarify that the terms overweight and obese have two very different meanings. It is therefore important that the words are not used interchangeably by the media, as you did in your article recently. Feedback provided to parents/carers through the National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP) clearly outlines whether their child fits within the underweight, healthy weight, overweight or very overweight category.

The health risks to children and young people who are overweight or very overweight are significant.

This is an important issue for us all and we should be encouraging all parents/carers to support their children to maintain a healthy weight. Within a few years, being overweight or obese will overtake smoking as the major cause of preventable ill health.

The total costs associated with overweight and obesity are estimated to rise to £165m in 2015, in Sheffield alone. The National Child Measurement Programme is just one of many ways we are working together to address this issue.

Through the programme we can support families in their efforts to keep their children healthy – and where appropriate make positive changes to their lifestyle. More than 97 per cent of Reception Year and Year 6 children were weighed and measured in Sheffield this year and more children are taking part each year. This high coverage recognises the importance the majority of parents/carers place in ensuring that their child takes part. The good news is that childhood obesity in Sheffield is no longer on the rise. This shows that the tide may be beginning to turn and everyone’s hard work – in particular families and children themselves – may be starting to make a real difference.

Let’s tackle all offenders

From: B Hardgrave, Church Street, Kilham, Driffield.

THE Prime Minister is clamping down hopefully on gangs and after public demand wholesale violence and looting will be “eliminated”. However, in the Big Society he envisages will the Government clamp down on the other gangs who practise tax evasion and use tax havens for their illegal activity?

If we are to have a more balanced society then every aspect of crime should be reviewed – tax evasion costs this country billions of pounds. Surely the pursuit of tax evaders must be one of the priorities?

From: SL Dickinson, Beeston Road, Leeds.

THERE is only one way to beat the yobs. We must copy Singapore. Years ago they had a crime culture even worse than the UK’s. They revised the penal code. Three strokes of the birch for anti-social behaviour. Why are we waiting?

We need fair investment

From: Judy Robinson, CEO, Involve Yorkshire & Humber, Hanover Walk, Leeds.

I WELCOME your reporting about the detrimental and unfair impact of policies and spending, like transport and health, on Yorkshire – as compared to other regions (Yorkshire Post, August 19).

These policies don’t just affect business they reduce the capacity of voluntary organisations and charities working in Yorkshire and Humber too. This means that organisations which support vulnerable people – families, young people and the elderly – are closing or are at risk. Yorkshire is suffering a double whammy of a jobs downturn while at the same time support for people is being eroded. Involve Yorkshire & Humber – the voluntary sector support agency – estimates that thousands of jobs in the charity sector are at risk too. Like your Fair Deal for Yorkshire campaign, we call on the Government to invest fairly.

Mr Speaker’s silly wife

From: Alan Carcas, Cornmill Lane, Liversedge.

SO Sally Bercow says she has entered the Big Brother house to “stick two fingers up to the Establishment”.

What gives this silly girl the idea that any of us, Establishment or not, give a damn.

She’s already blighted her husband’s career as Mr Speaker, and made herself look an absolute laughing stock.

The Establishment, and the rest of us, and for that matter the Speakership of the House of Commons, have survived worse things than Sally Bercow, and most of them are more intelligent. Like Larry, the 10 Downing Street cat!

Learning and earning

From: Martin Walsh, Martin Walsh Associates, Leeds Road, Dewsbury.

I READ with great interest the ground breaking news that Morrisons were offering to fund prospective graduates a university place on a part-time basis while they train in all aspects of store management.

Alas not so revolutionary – as here at Martin Walsh Associates, a Dewsbury- based architectural and planning practice, we have been using this formula for the last 30 years and in that time have produced more than 30 graduates through universities in Leeds, Wakefield and Sheffield.

These well educated and experienced members of staff are debt free, greatly experienced and already on the mortgage ladder when they have graduated through this learn and earn method.