"This is precisely the wrong way to go about combating the country’s supposed weight problem. It is a terrible, ill-advised, short-sighted idea – and one that could be quite dangerous."

Fat-shaming children at school is no way to fight obesity

"This is precisely the wrong way to go about combating the country’s supposed weight problem. It is a terrible, ill-advised, short-sighted idea – and one that could be quite dangerous. One in five kids are obese by the end of primary school, which is alarming – but to shame them into weight loss simply teaches them to equate their worth with a number on a scale, and sets them up for a lifetime of thinking their size is some sort of indication of who they are.

We cannot, and should not, be teaching teenagers that their bodies are shameful – and don’t be mistaken, that would be the inevitable result of a schoolyard weighing programme. Children and teenagers are fragile enough already, without the humiliation of having to disclose their weight to someone at school – or worse, be subjected to a special programme none of their friends are doing. Can you imagine the taunts?"