Larger Uniforms Needed for Schoolchildren in UK

Tuesday 10th of April 2007 07:17:43 PM

In the past ten years, the percentage of overweight schoolchildren ages 11 to 15 in the UK has grown to 25%. This means that uniform manufactures have had to design more clothing to fit children who are obese. While these uniforms used to be considered a speciality order, National Schoolwear Centres now carries sizes meant for overweight children in their regular rotating stock.

uniforms are being made to fit children who have waist sizes of 42in. or more, 52in. chest sizes, and 17.5in. collars. This was considered unheard of ten years ago. It has been estimated that by the year 2010, at least half of all UK children under the age of 16 will be obese. Similar statistics exist in other countries as well.

Other school uniform suppliers have had to do the same as orders for larger uniforms increase. Countries such as the US have had a similar rise in childhood obesity over the past ten years, which has persuaded many children’s clothing manufactures to produce clothing for larger children as well. This epidemic is expected to continue as children become less active and physically fit.

uniforms are not the only concern for those who have overweight children. For many families, diabetes, heart disease, and other health issues are genetic. Being overweight only heightens these risks.

The only way to stop the rise in obesity is to get children to play outdoors for longer periods of time, control foods they come in contact with, and help them understand the risks involved in overeating and being overweight. Since many parents are overweight themselves, these lessons are harder to teach.

(c)Singhajay, www.sxc.hu