ARE your children fat?And, even if they are, would you allow anyone to tell you so?

That's the latest proposal in the government's fight against childhood obesity.

Parents of overweight children may soon be receiving official notification of the fact.

Schools weigh children at the ages of five and 10 but at present parents are only informed of the results if they ask for them.

But the Department of Health plans to hand the results to parents as a matter of course.

A spokesman for the department said: "Tackling child obesity is a government priority and the weighing and measuring programme is an important element of this.

"The programme is a vital part of engaging with children and families about healthy lifestyles and weight issues.

"We need to take this further and help parents to understand the importance of healthy weight for their families and support them in making lifestyle changes."

Asked about handing out the results, Bournemouth and Poole Primary Care Trust said it would "consider any option" to help people live healthier lives.

But parents' groups have not welcomed the new system.

Margaret Morrissey, speaking for the National Confederation of Parent Teacher Associations, said: "There is obviously some merit in what the government is suggesting.

"But it would be better if children were given a full health check, not just a weight check, and if the parents were included in the appointment.

"This would mean there would be no need for a letter as the parents would be able to discuss any issues with the doctor or nurse."

She also warned of the dangers of stigmatising children.

She said: "Not all overweight children are overweight because their parents are feeding them the wrong food.

"Parents are an easy target but I think that the government should tackle the food manufacturers.

"It is very difficult when shopping with young children to resist pressure to buy crisps and sweets."

She said that schools selling off playing fields and houses without gardens all contribute to children's weight gain.

She said: "A letter to parents is not going to be the answer."

Health professionals say a letter alone might alert parents to the issue but would not solve the problem.

And they say that the government should provide support to parents with overweight children.

Janet James, health promotion specialist nurse at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital, and mum of a toddler, said: "Studies have shown that many parents of overweight children do not realise that their children are overweight so for some parents a letter like this could be a bolt from the blue.

"About one in four children are now overweight so it is becoming normalised.

"A letter on its own is not going to be enough," she added.

"Parents need support suggestions for who to contact for help or what to do about the problem.

"In lots of cases it might be a whole family problem. So a letter might kick-start the parents into doing something to help the whole family."

Obesity is becoming an increasingly pressing problem in Britain.

A report released last week warned that a majority of Britons will be overweight by 2050 if weight gain in the population continues at the current rate.

The consequent impact of associated chronic health problems is estimated to cost the country more than £45 billion a year.