My daughter is a ‘petite’ beauty queen but she was branded overweight in a school letter – I’m furious

A MUM has told how her “petite” beauty queen daughter was branded overweight in a school letter.

Lauren Ormesher, from Skelmersdale, Lancashire, was told her four-year-old Maggie was overweight after a BMI test at Cobbs Brow Primary School.

The Body Mass Index is a formula used to decipher whether patients are of a healthy weight.

But despite the fact Lauren’s daughter does dancing every week and has recently been crowned the “petite” Lancashire winner of ‘Miss Diamond UK’ – the formula says she is overweight.

Lauren told Lancashire Live: “We got a letter home saying she’s overweight – I put a post up on Facebook and it turns out a lot of kids all over the country got this letter saying they’re overweight.

“It’s nothing to do with school – a lot of parents had it and had received letters; one was from South Wales and some were from London area and all over the place.

“Our letter was addressed to the parent or guardian of Maggie and it said she was overweight according to their test.”

She added: “I was quite shocked as she’s a very healthy child and to see the word “overweight“ seemed crazy.

“Then I felt angry at the damage a letter like this could do to such young children.”

Now Lauren is calling for an end to weight checks of children in school – as she believes it could lead to mental health issues.

She explained: “My concern was that some parents might put their kids on a diet and eating disorders, and all the stress that this entails.

“Maggie is quite active – she goes Morris dancing once a week, and she’s not overweight or anything in the slightest. It’s about spreading awareness. A lot of people are not happy with the BMI weight checks.

“There are alternative methods of keeping children healthy rather than weight checking them.

“The BMI method measures your weight against your height. Most medical professionals will say it’s not accurate; it’s quite damaging really – they’re telling healthy children that they are overweight or obese.

“A lot of parents are getting concerned, especially with Year 6 children who are old enough to understand.

“One child who’s had a letter is a gymnast; it’s a bit concerning that they are still using that method.”

She added: “It causes the parents stress as well, if they feel they’ve failed as a parent and their child is fine. It only takes one parent to say let’s put you on a diet and that diet culture can put a child into thinking that that’s a normal way to live.

“You have children with eating disorders and it isn’t a good way for a child to feel healthy.”

A spokesperson for HCRG Care Group said: “The National Childhood Measurement Programme is a national scheme which we deliver in Lancashire on behalf of Lancashire County Council.

“As part of the programme, we write to parents whose children the programme identifies are either under or overweight for their age, sex and height to access to free support and guidance.

“Whilst we do understand it can be upsetting for parents to hear that their child has been measured and identified as overweight or underweight against the national target range, we hope they appreciate the information is intended to help identify where positive changes can be made and provide the support to make those changes.”