UK to track obese children using ‘Spy scales’ amid nanny state fears
In a controversial move to tackle Britain’s childhood obesity crisis, the National Health Service (NHS) is rolling out so-called ‘spy scales’ to monitor the weight of severely obese children remotely. The initiative, while praised by some as a “game-changing” approach, has drawn sharp criticism from others, who argue it crosses into the realms of a nanny state.
The UK is grappling with an alarming rise in childhood obesity. According to NHS data, one in seven children aged between two and 15 is now classified as obese. In response, NHS England is introducing the use of digital ‘smart scales’—dubbed ‘spy scales’ by critics—at specialist weight management clinics across the country.
These high-tech scales, which feature concealed displays to prevent children from seeing their actual weight, transmit data directly to a mobile app accessible to both clinicians and families. Parents receive graphs tracking weight trends, alongside personalised advice and motivational messages from healthcare professionals. The aim is to support families in helping children build healthier habits, without the need for frequent clinic visits.
The scheme is currently being used by around 350 patients and is set to expand to thousands more through 19 specialist clinics nationwide. NHS England plans to roll out the technology to additional clinics over the summer.
Technology or surveillance?
Supporters of the initiative, including Simon Kenny, NHS England’s national clinical director for children and young people, argue that the technology represents a breakthrough in managing childhood obesity.
“This game-changing tool is helping our specialists support and keep track of children’s weight-loss progress without them needing to leave home, while offering regular advice to them and their parents to help build healthy habits,” Kenny told The Independent.
Kenny stressed the dangers of ignoring the problem, warning that excess weight in children can cause long-term health complications such as type 2 diabetes, strokes, joint problems, and mental health issues. Moreover, children living with obesity often suffer from lower school attendance and reduced life opportunities.
Tam Fry, from the National Obesity Forum, also backed the scheme, suggesting that such close monitoring might be necessary given the scale of the crisis.
“I think there is a worry that some people will think this is nanny state or Big Brother, but I think actually people are so confused about weight and BMI, especially when it comes to children, that I think this might be a better way to go,” Fry told The Times.
Critics cry foul over ‘Big brother’ approach
However, not everyone is convinced. Critics have blasted the approach as intrusive and potentially harmful, questioning the ethics of monitoring children remotely without allowing them to see their own weight.
Christopher Snowdon, head of lifestyle economics at the Institute of Economic Affairs, described the scheme as “insane”, arguing that it infantilises both parents and children.
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“Handing out spy scales without the numbers on them seems insane. The whole thing sounds like a patronising waste of money — sending people banal advice to eat less, as if they don’t know that already,” Snowdon told The Daily Express.
Katharine Jenner, director of the Obesity Health Alliance, welcomed the effort to support families but warned that the government needed to do more at a systemic level.
“Nudging families towards healthier lifestyle changes is important, but the most powerful levers lie beyond the home; in government departments with the tools to put children’s health above corporate profits,” she said.
Balancing technology with compassion
As the NHS embarks on this digital experiment, the debate over personal responsibility versus state intervention intensifies. While the health service defends the programme as a compassionate and practical response to an escalating health crisis, opponents fear it sets a dangerous precedent of surveillance and overreach.
For now, the government insists that the scales are an optional tool for those families seeking help. Yet as childhood obesity figures continue to climb, the conversation over how far the state should go to intervene in children’s health is far from over.
