Fat children will get free numberless scales from NHS so their weight doesn’t hurt their feelings

OBESE children will get free scales under a new NHS weight loss bid — but won’t be able to see the readings.

Hiding the figures aims to spare kid’s feelings and stop their parents obsessing over numbers.

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Instead the data will be uploaded directly to a clinic. Doctors will view progress graphs on an app and send motivational messages to help kids slim.

The Obesity Health Alliance’s Katharine Jenner hailed it as a “compassionate” approach.

Prof Simon Kenny, at NHS England, called it game-changing.

One in five British children are obese by age 11.

Prof Kenny said: “This helps our specialists keep track of children’s weight loss progress without them needing to leave home.”

Critics say current NHS checks on kids in reception and again in Year Six can embarrass chubby children.

The at-home monitoring of the most obese has been trialled on 350 families in England and will be extended to thousands more.

Tam Fry, from the National Obesity Forum, said: “Some people will think this is nanny state. But people are so confused about weight and BMI in children that this might be a better way to go.”

Chris Snowdon, of the Institute for Economic Affairs, said: “It sounds like a patronising waste of money — sending people banal advice to eat less, as if they don’t know that already.”