Big Way Of Life

Liverpool City Council is considering banning the word obesity from featuring in future health campaigns for fear of offending overweight children.

They believe that the term could lead to youngsters being targeted and want to replace the expression with "unhealthy weight".

If the idea goes ahead, the words "obese" and "obesity" would be dropped from all schemes and strategies aimed at improving children's diets and health. However, the plans have been opposed by anti-obesity campaigners who are concerned the new term could lead to the issue being trivialised.

Tam Fry, chair of the obesity prevention charity the Child Growth Foundation, said: "If you're obese you're obese. The word carries a stigmatisation but unfortunately some times schoolchildren have to be taught the realities of life. If you have a problem, particularly when it's as serious as this, it needs addressing."

The council is formally considering the plan after it was put forward by 90 members of Liverpool Schools' Parliament (LSP) when asked to identify ways to improve the lives of youngsters in the area.

Jeff Dunn, coordinator of LSP, said: "The idea is that obesity has a negative connotation behind it. They felt unhealthy weight is more positive and a better way to promote it. The term 'obese' would turn people off, particularly young people."

A Liverpool City Council spokesman confirmed that the recommendations are under consideration. The council is expected to give the plan the go-ahead in the next few months. Other plans include appointing classmates and sport stars from the city as "food heroes" to promote healthy eating in schools.

Do you agree with this? Is the term 'obese' offensive or is it just political correctness gone mad?