School Uniforms for Obese Children

Tuesday 14th of February 2012 02:37:46 PM

Child and teenage obesity is a growing concern in the United Kingdom and the United States. It is estimated that 1 out of 3 children and young adults are overweight or obese. This is a trend that has been documented in developed countries around the world and is not a problem unique to the UK or the U.S. In medical terms, the clinically obese child is at least 20% over the normal weight as compared to children in their same age group and that have a similar body structure.

What does this have to do with clothing?

It has a lot to do with the sizes of clothing, including school uniforms. With the dramatic increase in weight, it has been necessary for retailers to begin selling school clothing and niforms in larger sizes. In the U.S. the first lady has initiated a program to address child obesity because the problem only continues to grow. In the UK a popular High street retailer of school clothing, has added bigger sizes to its line of school uniforms. Some stores are selling children’s clothing in size 18 now. The UK National Obesity Forum reported that school uniforms as large as 52 inches have been demanded in school blazers and 42 inch waist trousers for boys. Uniform shirts are being sold in size 17 ½. Girls uniforms now include blouses with a 48 inch bust.

Clothing retailers are selling these larger sizes as part of their standard line of clothing, and the new sizes are not special order. This indicates the demand for the large size children’s clothing justifies manufacturing and selling them in the stores as standard fare. This means the clothing retailers predict the trend is going to continue.

Bhs, or British Home Stores, is an established UK retailer selling clothing and house wares with high quality at reasonable prices. Their clothing includes everything from printed t-shirts to dresses for women. In the United Kingdom, Bhs operates 186 stores.

The steady increase in weight is expected to impact all clothing retailers selling children’s and teenage clothing lines.