Parents of obese UK kids may get warning letters

By Peter Griffiths

LONDON (Reuters Life!) - Parents of severely overweight children in Britain could be sent letters warning them about the health dangers of obesity, the government said on Monday.

Letters could be sent after children are routinely weighed at primary school at the ages of five and 10.

But while ministers say more action is needed to reduce obesity, critics fear the letters would stigmatize children.

Health Secretary Alan Johnson said last week that obesity in Britain could lead to a "potential crisis on the scale of climate change."

A government study this month predicted that half the population could be obese within 25 years.

The warning letters are one of several proposals being considered by ministers, although no final decision has been taken, according to the Department of Health.

"We have been clear that we need to work harder to cut the rising levels of obesity in children," it said. "Tackling child obesity is a government priority and the weighing and measuring program is an important element of this.

Tam Fry, of the National Obesity Forum, a health charity, said the letters would help the many parents who are unaware that their children are overweight.