CYP Now - Opinion: Vox Pop - Should parents of fat children get warningletters?

The government has proposed sending warning letters to the parents of obese children. However, critics say this would not help tackle the problem but simply lead to stigmatising and bullying of children who are overweight.

YES - Sir Al Aynsley-Green, Children's Commissioner for England

I give a cautious welcome to warnings being sent to parents given the unprecedented threat that obesity presents to the happiness and health of our children and young people. However, a letter on its own is not a panacea. Evidence shows clearly that parents need intensive support to help them make and sustain the necessary changes to improve their child's lifestyle. School nurses have an important role to play in supporting overweight children and I regret there are so few of them. We need to wake up to the challenge of obesity and work together to improve the wellbeing of children. NO - Anastasia de Waal, head of family and education, Civitas

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