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One Queensland tailor says he’s astonished at the size of the uniforms he needs to make for kids heading back to school.

Some, he says, are so large they’re usually not stocked at big men’s stores.

On top of the massive uniforms, the Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) says children are undergoing physiotherapy to help them cope with the physical strain of a six-hour school day.

Uniform supplier Williamson International’s Greg McLeod told The Courier-Mail he had taken orders this year for school shorts with a 150cm waist.

‘We are very conscious of how a child carrying a lot of weight must feel when we are making a special-sized uniform. We want them to feel comfortable and wear exactly the same as all the other children,’ he said.

Additionally, physiotherapy classes are being booked out by parents hoping to help their overweight children’s mobility.

Paediatric chair of the APA Nicole Haynes said it was becoming more and more common to see large children walk through their doors.

She said exercise classes were essential to helping schoolchildren meet the physical requirements of their day-to-day lives.

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  • My kids were all average. I was never super strict with them on what they were allowed to eat but I never had cordial in the house and my kids mostly drank water. They are still all good water drinkers.

    Reply

  • My kid is really skinny but because the average has become so big we can’t find any pants or shorts long enough for him that don’t fall down. He’s 5 and still fits size two around the waist.

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  • I am often amazed at the size of the children going to school these days.

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  • It’s all the sugar in the foods we eat, portion sizes and a reduction in physical activity thanks to screens. The government should be subsiding sports fees and taxing sugared products.

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  • I never realised this before. I’m wondering if it is anything to do with bullying as that is going on more than ever. It’s something to think about

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  • This is rather surprising, thanks for sharing.

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  • Children should not be overweight it ruins their childhood. I was overweight as a child and not fun. More needs to be done!

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  • I actually found the school uniform sizing to be ridiculous and so out of sync with most kids. My son was unable to wear the correct school uniform until Year 10. He was given permission to wear a non-school uniform that complied in terms of colour and look because he has ASD and is not comfortable with oversized or ill-fitting clothing.

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  • I find the sizing for the school uniforms to be extra wide as it is. I don’t think there is a need for larger ones.


    • I have always found the sizing large and roomy too.

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  • Maybe if we had standardised sizing it wouldn’t be so scary.

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  • Not good at all.

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  • Uniforms come in a range of sizes – so I am quite surprised!

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  • Concerning, I think this is a problem indeed.

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  • I have this problem with two of my children, though only one had a problem in school years. Then uniforms could be made by mum as not so fancy. I was able to help the son with a health problem. He was not over weight to non exercise but a health problem from birth. We were walking 3 km to and from school, so at least 6 km walk on school days. He still has a problem with his work uniform as their pants are not big enough. On the news heard some have clothes size 9xl now that is big.

    Reply

  • This isn’t good at all! Kids need to be outside and playing more than they are sitting inside playing video games. I’d be worried about the effects later in life of their health

    Reply

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