Yahoo Lifestyle 
Mum left 'fuming' after school calls four-year-old son 'overweight'
A mum from Preston, northern England, was left outraged after the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) deemed her four-year-old son Harley ‘overweight’.
Mica Pullen, 29, took to Facebook to complain after she received a letter from Harley’s school stating that, at 106.68cm (three foot six inches) and weighing 19.65kg (three stone and five ounces), Harley was overweight for his age, sex and height.
Harley was weighed as part of the NHS National Child Measurement Programme, which ranks children’s weight in the UK based on their body mass index (BMI).
The mother-of-two shared the letter with her followers, together with a picture of Harley in a pair of shorts.
![The mother shared a picture of her son on Facebook together with the letter saying he was overweight. [Photo: Facebook]](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/zTw7hdlPoQBXxv.JTLacuw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTEyNjM-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/homerun/feed_manager_auto_publish_494/16a10418cfd6006a6f5c6eedf63e9a7f)
Mica’s followers rushed in to console her, calling the letter ‘rubbish’.
“That’s ridiculous! He’s clearly not overweight what a joke! How disgusting and patronising is that letter! Theo’s got his coming up I think,” wrote one follower.
“He’s healthy and very loved! Chuck your letter in the bin! You do a fab job,” added another.
The mother speaks out
Mica explained to the Lancashire Post the incident had left her ‘insecure’.
“A healthy diet is part of our lives and I make sure he eats healthily,” she told the publication.
![The NHS National Child Measurement Programme measures children’s weight based on BMI. [Photo: Getty]](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/vLmDEM60ojGkU8JRbS1Vlw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTUyMw--/https://media.zenfs.com/en/homerun/feed_manager_auto_publish_494/0f5b07981a44902fdea4edd1c4dccfe2)
“I started to doubt myself when I read the letter and I felt like I needed reassurance that I wasn’t doing something wrong. But I am angry that I have been made to feel that way.
“I was pleased to get the support of so many parents on the Facebook page but I shouldn’t have to be looking for reassurance and made to feel insecure.
“The effect on me and my family has been ridiculous. My son is a very happy boy and is in good health.”
Online debate
Recently other parents have started online debates, including one mother who was asked whether or not she should be concerned about her daughter’s weight.
Taking to parenting site Mumsnet, the woman explained that she was feeling ‘a little bit sad’ for her daughter.
“She is 7 and 138cm and 32kg. Not fat but not going to have slim frame ever,” she wrote.
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