Too Fat To Toddle, Tuesday 9pm, ITV1

Posted by Jane Murphy

"Obesity is big news" screams the official press release for ITV's new documentary - thus employing one of the most overused puns of recent years. The obesity epidemic has hit our TV screens, as well as our waistlines - with a plethora of shows focusing on tears, tantrums and midnight fridge raids as overweight adults attempt to shed those excess pounds.

Still, as its title suggests, ITV1's new show is different - because it's all about kids. One in four pre-school children suffers from obesity, according to official figures, and 80% of these kids will grow into obese adults. Something needs to change - but how?

Step forward Professor Paul Gately and his team from Leeds Metropolitan University. These concerned obesity experts have set up the first ever "fat camp" for the under-sixes - a three-day course during which they attempt to reeducate families about healthy diet and exercise regimes.

And so we meet five-year-old Teighan who's being bullied at school because she already weighs six stone - twice the weight she should be. "I feel quite sad when she needs a kiss or cuddle because I can't lift her up," says her mum Sonya. However, a trip to the supermarket with Professor Gately soon uncovers the truth: Sonya has unwittingly been buying her daughter the "wrong" foods and serving "wrong" portion sizes.

Obviously, it's the parents who need the lessons here - which makes me wonder whether it's really fair to parade these poor kids in front of the TV cameras. And another thing: why the "clever" title? All the children featured are aged four or five. They're not too fat to toddle - they're too old to toddle.

Picture: ITV

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Comments

[leon]

I THOUGHT THE PROGRAMME WAS FUNNY COS THE KIDS WERE OBESE :p

[Kev]

Really didn't like the idea of this programme, felt like the kids were being paraded around like freaks. I think its all tosh anyway. I was abit on the tubby side, but so were both my parents at the same age. I had a healthy diet and alot of excercise, in the end the weight dropped off at the onset of puberty.

I agree the government want mums to work, mums are out all day at work come home, then ferry the kids to after school clubs etc where the kids get their exercise for the day (because they dont get it at school, cant play in the street or go to the local park alone like we used to), by that time there is no time to cook a decent meal, its always something quick and easy. Most mums spend their time at work or running around after the kids. Some kids come home from school and mum is still out at work, they are left to their own devices, I think what this country needs is more stay at home mums, I would personally love to be a stay at home mum but that is just not possible. I work because I have to not out of choice. When I was a child my mum was always at home, we didnt have fancy holidays and we dont now, but we did grow up to be responsible adults and that is surely what counts.

[sammy]

Parents are 100% to blame for most if not all the problems we have with kids today. The lack of respect is a product of lack of discipline. Parenst just don't take resposibility these days. Causing a toddler to become obese through poor diet is child abuse and the parents should be dealt with by law. As for yobs bring back National Service or send them to Afganistan, they wouldn't last 5 mins.

the government want mothers out to work, now they dont have time to cook proper decent food for the kids, they fill them with cheap quick food. Its not the kids fault its the parents. Same with the yobs, parents are out at work, giving and giving to the kids, they assume they can have everything, they dont have dicipline, its easier for the parents to give them a fiver and tell them to go out with their mates than to acctually do soething with them, We live in a terrible society, adults are afraid to go out after dusk because of gangs of kids and other adults high on drink and drugs. Thatcher made a lot of mistakes, but when new labour came in out went education, family values and respect. Everyoe in Britain now walks around with their head down not wanting to see the bad society that we all now live in., and which we have all made- theres nothing GREAT about britain any more and we are all to blame. It all starts with our PARENTS, who else do we learn from

[child of the 70's-80's]

I agree with the comment about the food being made cheaper, if we look at people who lived through the war, they were on rations (ok) but they ate quite healthily, meat and two veg as the saying goes,and how many obese people were there then right up to the late 80's. where yobs are concerned I remember having punishment in schools and if your parents found out you had been in trouble you then got twice the punishment at home and also beat bobbies knew you by name. these days there is no punishment for these yobs so they are not scared of anyone and so you dare not let your kids out of your sight in case they are attacked etc, so who do you blame for the kids not being able to be kids, who do you blame for all the crap food sold today?????

[nic]

Yob culture has nothing to do with obese kids! The ages we are talking about shouldn't be playing out alone anyway, there are plenty of activities you can do with pre schoolers to encourage an active lifestyle and eating healthily does not require a degree!!!

[gingertom]

When you have had a phone call from the police to tell you that your child has been beaten up for walking the streets of Birmingham or playing in the local park then and only then can you tell me its not the yobs fault why parents do not let their child out. Even adults can not cycle down the canal path to work as yobs kick you in steal your bike and phone and if your lucky do not knife you. I bet anon lives in a little British country hamlet without the inner city problems.

[anon]

i think its pathetic that kids are overweight, i dont think it is all to do with yobs we cant blame someone being fat on them, its the parents fault as far as im concerned!! it would help parents if healthy food were cheaper than all the crap processed foods that are now filling the shelves!!

[GINGERTOM]

the reason half these kids are fat is because responsible parents can not let them out at night because of yobs. My 16yr old son had his mobile stolen and then punched in the face by 3 strong nice yobs. If the yobs were dealt with then honest people could once again walk the street. Discipline at home and school is the answer. Once we have that the rest will follow

[leon]

lol obesity, hope the kids lose their legs :P

[mandi]

you have my vote ...can you also bring back national service for 16-21 yr olds and shoot anyone who plays their car stereo so loud the ground vibrates ...thanks...

devoted voter....

[jojob]

Tackling this issue is easy and can be done at the same time as abolishing yob culture in our streets. some may think this extreme but I believe street wardens should carry bamboo canes whipping the parents of these chubby kids and steel rods to beat street yobs responsible for 100's of 000's of £'s damage in vandalism and loss of trade from locals too scared to leave the house at night. jojob will soon be standing for election and I await your votes