An angry mum has slammed officials at Cornwall Council for “fat shaming” her four-year-old daughter.
Kelly Pedlar, 35, was left fuming when she received a letter from her local council informing her that her daughter Chloe, now aged five, was overweight.
Chloe was assessed at her school as part of the UK’s National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP). The local council then sent Pedlar a letter a letter stating that Chloe’s height and weight measurements classified her in the overweight bracket.
“To put a label on a four-year- old like that is just disgusting,” she told the Cornish Guardian.
“If Chloe ever found out it could cause other problems, such as anorexia.
“At this age it’s just puppy fat. Although I don’t believe you could say she’s fat.”
Kelly, who also has sons aged 16 and 8, also said Chloe fit into clothes for four to five year-olds and that she cooks a balanced diet for her children, proportioned to their ages.
“They don’t have lots of snacks in between meals,” she added.
“They eat the right things.
“It has made me feel I should cut back some of her food, give her even smaller portions. I’m questioning myself. “
NCMP told the Cornish Guardian that the measurements continued on from those taken from birth to the age of two by health visitors. “[the measurements] provide support and early identification of many health concerns that young children can develop,” a spokesperson explained.
The NCMP added that the letters are sent to helps parents assess their child’s weight using an “objective measure” rather than relying on what appears ‘”normal”. The letters also tell parents about the support NCMP can offer.
