M&S Sells Uniforms For Obese Three-Year-Olds

10:51am UK

Monday July 26, 2010

Hazel Tyldesley

Sky News Online

School blazers for obese three-year-olds and size 18 girls are being offered in Marks & Spencer's new plus-size school uniform range. 

M&S is the latest retailer to recognise the demand for plus-size schoolwear 

The high street store, which sells more schoolwear than any other British retailer, follows other shops including Next and Bhs in recognising the market for plus sizes. 

A quietly-launched trial of its new Plus range caters for four-year-olds with waistlines of up to 23in - a size usually worn by eight-year-olds, according to the retailer's own guide. 

Meanwhile, girls' age 16 items from the Plus Fit selection have a 40in chest, a 34in waist and 43.52in hips - measurements equivalent to a women's size 18.

For overweight boys, the Plus Fit range has adjustable trousers with up to a 41in waist. 

M&S said the range had been introduced as part of a trial prompted by demand from parents. 

National Obesity Forum 

The larger sizes of boys' pleat front trousers and girls' bootleg trousers in black appear to have sold out. 

A spokesman for the retailer described the move as a "small online trial running in response to customer demand". 

"Marks&Spencer is the leading schoolwear retailer and we want to make sure our schoolwear range is accessible for children of all shapes and sizes," he said. 

Campaigners said the move by M&S simply reflected increasing rates of obesity in young children. 

Tam Fry, of the National Obesity Forum, said: "This is the actual commercial recognition of what we have known for some time - that obesity in pre-schoolers is building up. 

Child obesity rates have been rising steadily over the past 20 years 

Mr Fry said he did not think it was wrong for M&S to offer the range, and added that the firm had been among the better retailers when it came to giving clear information on their food range. 

But he called for a collective effort to curb obesity. 

"Parents should not fail in their responsibility - it is they that put food in their children's mouths, send their children out to play," he said. 

"But at a government level, they have consistently ducked out of regulating the food industry." 

The move by M&S was widely debated on parenting forums, with several welcoming the Plus Fit range on the basis that overweight children had the same right to have well-fitting, comfortable uniforms as their lighter peers.