Marks and Spencer have raised eyebrows by introducing a new plus size range to their school wear, catering for children as young as four.
The high street giants defended their decision claiming they were simply responding to customer demand. The range is to be cut far more generously that M&S’s standard fit with almost two and a half extra inches around the waistline and hips.
Tam Fry, from the National Obesity Forum said: “It is an absolutely tragic illustration of the terrible obesity problem this country faces, and how early in life it starts. People used to dismiss obesity as a problem of the lower classes, but the decision by M&S shows just how widespread the problem is.”
The reality is that information from the NHS shows that one in five children start their school life overweight or obese. By the end of primary school, these results grew to almost one in three.
A spokesperson for M&S claimed the range was still at a trial stage and any decision to make it more permanent would be based on customer response.
High street chains such as Next and Asda have also been forced to recognise the growing obesity levels in Britain and are set to measure 6000 children in an attempt to adapt their regular clothing sizes to today’s statistics.
