Here’s an interesting “government scheme” as it is referred to in an article on thisislondon.co.uk:

Parents of clinically obese five-year-olds will be sent warning letters under a new government scheme.

The notifications will be part of a tough new stance to tackle rising levels of obesity, following a national initiative to weigh all children in schools.

Ministers including Health Secretary Alan Johnson are preparing to face accusations of stigmatising fat children over the plan but believe it is in the children’s best interest if a problem is formally brought to the attention of their parents.

I am sure this going to bring about a host of issues - both positive and negative. I have to wonder how parents of an obese child are going to react upon receiving a letter from The Department of Health. Sure, they will open it. Maybe they will read it. But how will they take action?

Childhood obesity is a major problem that for the majority of obese children, will continue well into adulthood. Will a letter from the government be a positive step in helping to reduce obesity? I hope so, but I am curious as to what the call to action will be…

In our online parenting seminar: Childhood Obesity: Helping Your Family & Child Gain Control
we look at the issue of childhood obesity, and provide specific strategies and tactics to help families deal with obesity.

I will be keeping an eye on this effort both in the UK and to see if this is something that may flow through to the US. Although, I highly doubt that. Smoking has been a major health problem for young and the old. However, I do not believe a warning letter has ever been sent to smokers homes. Hmm…maybe that’s next!