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By Rachel Lawler

 

�°������ϲʹ������� says that campaigners should not “expect too much” of primary schools in the fight against childhood obesity, in a released today.

 

Last year, �°������ϲʹ������� carried out research into the impact of schools on childhood obesity, visiting 60 schools across the country.

 

The inspectors found that most schools have responded well to government initiatives but said that it was not clear what impact these specific interventions were having, by themselves, on children’s weight.

 

The report argues that schools should focus on teaching children about healthy eating and cooking as part of their curriculum and offering plenty of opportunities for exercise.

 

The report says that schools are also well-placed to teach skills such as cooking or dancing and to provide updates to parents on their children’s physical development.

 

Amanda Spielman, chief inspector at �°������ϲʹ�������, said: “We must recognise that schools cannot provide a silver bullet for all societal ills. Teachers and school leaders are already stretched; they should not be held responsible for an issue that requires concerted action across the board.

 

“[…]Families, government, industry and other parts of the public sector all have a role to play in making food and drink healthier, and supporting children to make better choices.”

 

Katie Angotti, programme manager for the , said: “We agree that childhood obesity is a complex societal issue, requiring solutions from many different players.

 

“However, no matter how difficult it is for schools to feel they are making a difference, we believe it’s important that they strive to get the basics of nutrition right, providing good food and an environment that enables healthy eating to be the norm.

 

“In reality, one in every five children is overweight or obese by the time they start school so it’s clear that interventions are needed in the early years as well as in primary school.”