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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Weight loss weigh-in for Reception class

50 replies

sayjay · 23/05/2012 22:51

Ds (Reception) was weighed and measured today as part of the School Health Programme.
He has come home wearing a sticker saying "I was Measured today!" with a clip art type picture underneath of feet on scales and "33% off" next to the scales.

The sticker looks as thought it has been made using clip art and printed on a computer.

AIBU or is this a ridiculous weight loss message for Receptioon children!!?

(I may be BU as I did not give my consent for him to be part of the school health programme, but they phoned DH this morning and he agreed over the phone. My annoyance is with him also Hmm )

OP posts:
WorraLiberty · 23/05/2012 22:54

What does 33% off mean?

And why are you describing it as a 'weight loss' weigh-in?

Original poster
sayjay · 23/05/2012 22:56

Because I took the 33% off to indicate weight loss

OP posts:
Cherriesarelovely · 23/05/2012 22:57

The sticker sounds slightly weird! I'm sure they could've found something more appropriate!

misslinnet · 23/05/2012 22:58

Are they seriously encouraging reception age children to lose weight?

Is it possible that the 33% off might mean something else?

WorraLiberty · 23/05/2012 22:58

The sticker is a little weird I must admit...I'd ask the school about that.

Other than that, I'm all for School health programmes although I do think it's a shame that it's necessary.

These things should be left down to parents but clearly with the obesity epidemic getting worse and worse, it seems schools have to step in.

pookamoo · 23/05/2012 23:01

I'll bet it has nothing to do with weight loss. They are just learning their numbers. The clipart was maybe a poor choice but I'd imagine the teacher just googled for a picture and picked the first one.

I think you are over reacting, if this is the case.

Original poster
sayjay · 23/05/2012 23:02

What else could it mean? It was preprinted, so don't think it was specifically selected for him. I assume they all got the same sticker. Btw he's a lanky little thing, not really a candidate for school health to intervene with weight loss encouragement even if that's what was intended.

OP posts:
Original poster
sayjay · 23/05/2012 23:03

School Health Service (School Nurses) carry out this survey , nothing to do with the school or teachers.

OP posts:
WorraLiberty · 23/05/2012 23:04

School Health programmes are for all kids...not just the overweight.

Original poster
sayjay · 23/05/2012 23:06

Yep. I have other reasons for not wanting him to participate in school health programmes.

OP posts:
myBOYSareBONKERS · 24/05/2012 06:34

Its only a sticker - there will be bigger battles then this to fight!!

MrsFruitcake · 24/05/2012 07:12

What other reasons sayjay? I don't understand....

Bobyan · 24/05/2012 07:20

So what's actual problem? It's clearly not the sticker, is it?

I'm always quite surprised when parents (a la the Daily Mail) start moaning about the government trying to monitor their children's health, in an attempt to halt the obesity crisis.

Especially as the ones who moan generally are on the large side...

Strawbezza · 24/05/2012 08:07

How could 33% off indicate weight loss, if the school have never weighed him before?

crazygracieuk · 24/05/2012 08:17

Did everyone have that sticker?
33% off could be stickers that were used by older children learning fractions/decimals and they ran out of plain stickers so used unrelated pre-printed ones. It's not really appropriate (I don't think I've ever seen a reception kid who should lose 33% of their weight!!)

crazygracieuk · 24/05/2012 08:17

Did everyone have that sticker?
33% off could be stickers that were used by older children learning fractions/decimals and they ran out of plain stickers so used unrelated pre-printed ones. It's not really appropriate (I don't think I've ever seen a reception kid who should lose 33% of their weight!!)

Lovelynewboots · 24/05/2012 08:19

Reception children are weighed and measured but do not take part in a weight loss program. If your child is showing signs of becoming overweight the nurse contacts you to go over a healthy eating plan. You need to talk to the school about this to find out for sure what happened. The nurses are usually pretty available, our school has drop in times for the school nurse or you could ring her. Yes I am a genius. Grin

mercibucket · 24/05/2012 08:28

This is not a weight loss weigh in and I am surprised they phoned to ask your permission. Here, you have to opt out, so if you say nothing that is taken as consent. They weigh/measure every child and write to you with the result. You then do what you want - address a weight problem, ignore a weight problem, know there is no weight problem. Noone will be doing a 'weight loss weigh in' on all the kids

Did your child even notice or understand 33 percent? Wow - advanced maths skills at your school reception class

mercibucket · 24/05/2012 08:28

This is not a weight loss weigh in and I am surprised they phoned to ask your permission. Here, you have to opt out, so if you say nothing that is taken as consent. They weigh/measure every child and write to you with the result. You then do what you want - address a weight problem, ignore a weight problem, know there is no weight problem. Noone will be doing a 'weight loss weigh in' on all the kids

Did your child even notice or understand 33 percent? Wow - advanced maths skills at your school reception class

Floggingmolly · 24/05/2012 08:42

Well, clearly your "other reasons for not wanting him to participate in school health programs" (the mind boggles as to why they could possibly be) are the actual issue here - why not address them instead?

Longtalljosie · 24/05/2012 08:51

Regardless of the 33% off malarkey I think the whole thing is inappropriate - including the picture of the scales. Children have been treated for anorexia as young as 6 years old. If the School Health Service must persist with weighing every child they should do so with the minimum of fuss and fanfare imo.

mercibucket · 24/05/2012 09:08

Just give it a month or so and there they'll be in the national press - slightly pudgy five year olds paraded by their parents as a model of health and fitness - how outrageous that they have been told their child is overweight! (They being the parents, not the child btw)

CrumpettyTree · 24/05/2012 09:47

I always find it odd when people appear in the press saying "My 5 year old was really upset that he was told that he was obese in the letter we got sent home." Then there is a picture of the mum and son looking sad. Why on earth do the parents tell their child that he is obese then? The letter is addressed to the parents, so that they can either attempt to provide healthier food or ignore it. There is really no need for the child to be told about it.

CrumpettyTree · 24/05/2012 09:48

My daughter is being weighed and measured and having her eyes tested today. What are your concerns about the medical OP?

WorraLiberty · 24/05/2012 10:09

Regardless of the 33% off malarkey I think the whole thing is inappropriate - including the picture of the scales. Children have been treated for anorexia as young as 6 years old. If the School Health Service must persist with weighing every child they should do so with the minimum of fuss and fanfare imo

Anorexia is nearly always mentioned on threads like this.

I am in no way making light of such a serious eating disorder but let's remember that obesity is the biggest, rapidly rising eating disorder sweeping the UK.

At the moment, something like 1 fifth of reception aged children are overweight or obese...and that figure doubles by year 6.

Personally I think it's time to remove the 'stigma' and 'taboo' surrounding openly talking about weight and weight loss.