11-15 year olds being weighed at group?

[srees]

Hi, I know 11-15 year olds are allowed to join, but I always thought they were there to learn about healthy foods, etc.

A little 11 year old girl recently joined with her mum and has been getting weighed. I think it's quite sad I didn't know this? I could have sworn I read that children don't get weighed???

Well I suppose if they need to attend Weight Watchers (I assume that's what you're talking about) then I assume they need to lose weight!

They could "learn about healthy eating" at school!

Weighing them will allow them to see if they are actually losing the weight they need to.

No, I'm not talking about weight watchers... I posted this in the correct place so I can get advice from other people who attend group I was told 11-15 year olds don't get weighed.

The website says that young members weight changes are monitored closely but that the emphasis is on healthy eating not weight loss.

Surely if they're there it's to lose weight like everyone else, I don't see anything wrong with it really this way with every weigh in they are getting emotional support and good advice. It's better than weighing yourself in the bathroom and crying about it!

Slimming World...Weight Watchers...similar thing.

They're cashing in on the obesity crisis. Children and teens should really be case managed by a proffesional on a one to one basis, regularly.

But if the NHS is as cash strapped as it is, it's natural that parents will look for an alternative.

The problem is I suppose that businesses like SW will advertise "special programmes" for children but they're just offering the same service as they offer to adults in the end. Not ideal.

How are they cashing in? 11-15 year olds can weigh for free as often or as little as they like. They can only join if they have a parent or guardian who does the majority of their cooking/shopping in group. SW makes no profit at all from 11-15 year olds. Those that don't want to weigh don't those that do do.
The pompous pontificating from people who know nothing about SW or WW is laughable. We have a serious obesity crisis in this age group companies that reach out to help with no financial gain should be praised not criticised.

@InfiniteSheldon I assume you were speaking to Mrs? I know a lot about SW and know that if a parent goes, the child doesn't pay. I also know that they pay £3.95 if a parent doesn't go - so dunno why you didn't mention that? Heck, I've lost a lot and been going for a while. Just not many kids come along to my group.

I was just sad for this little girl. She seemed mortified. Her mother was hardly subtle "go on, I want to see how much you've lost" "get on" then with the consultant doing the same.

Appalling behaviour by hat mother then. My group has several young members and the emphasis is on habits changing weighing is optional and private. And yes I wasn't addressing you

They get weighed, they don't count syns and follow a special plan. They go free if attending with an adult.

I do think it's a worrying trend...of course young people need to be helped and supported in their weight loss.

However, if that's commercialised in any way, then there's a risk.

Charlatans will pile on and call themselves "experts" and take money.

There should be free, government led help for overweight children. Group or non group.

IMO if they're overweight and so are their parent(s), then it is right that they are joining in to do the same. Remember, Slimming World is not a diet, it's a lifestyle change.