Teachers already have a great many responsibilities in the classroom, but should they also be making sure that kids are healthy and eating well? According to MPs in Birmingham, they should be, with new calls for teachers to do more to help battle childhood obesity. 

MPs demanded “bold and urgent action” to fight a childhood obesity crisis in Birmingham after new statistics from the Commons Health Committee showed that there has been a real rise in obesity cases in the second city. 

Figures published by the committee show that 24.2 per cent of children in Year Six in Birmingham schools are now classed as being obese. This has risen from last year, when the number of children adjudged to be obese sat marginally lower at 23.9 per cent. 

Public Health England says obese children are more at risk of developing heart disease, diabetes and some cancers, while it can also lead to increased cases of bullying, and even mental health issues in later life. 

MPs said it is not enough for schools to make sure that pupils are taking part in physical education and getting the required exercise, as they called for teachers to do more to make sure they are eating properly as well. 

“Lunch box food standards would be a valuable tool where teachers need to have conversations with parents about improving their children’s diet," a letter from a group of MPs read. 

Chair of the Committee, Dr Sarah Wollaston MP, said: “We believe that if the government fails to act, the problem will become far worse," as she called for levies on the price of unhealthy foods to promote healthy options to kids. 

“A full package of bold measures is required and should be implemented as soon as possible. We believe that a sugary drinks tax should be included in these measures with all proceeds clearly directed to improving our children’s health.”