Poll: Moms should know if kids are obese

LONDON, June 14 (UPI) -- The vast majority of Brits agree parents should be informed by the government if their children become seriously overweight, a survey indicates.

Nearly nine out of 10 people said parents need to be made aware of their children's height and weight if they participate in the Child Measurement Program, a poll conducted by the MPG media agency indicates.

Hundreds of families were questioned in the survey, The Times of London reported Saturday.

More than 70 percent of people said federal officials should dismiss proposed legislation permitting parents to chose not to be informed of their child's measurements.

Since 2006, youths ages 6-11 have participated in a government program in which they are measured and weighed in an effort to combat child obesity.

Parents have not been made aware of the measurements in the past, but a new law could give them the option of being informed, the Times said.