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Plus-size clothing is now available for toddlers

A UK retailer is making headlines after releasing a plus-sized clothing range for children as young as three.

The ‘Plus Fit’ range sold by British high street chain Next has 47 pieces which are described as being “‘more generous… for a comfortable fit”.

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"Our different ‘fits’ cater for children with different size waist and hips, taking into account that children come in all different shapes and sizes," a Next spokesperson told the Telegraph.

Next says they're simply responding to a need in the market for plus-sized clothing for younger kids. Photo: Getty
Next says they're simply responding to a need in the market for plus-sized clothing for younger kids. Photo: Getty

While experts say the store might receive backlash for introducing the range, it’s an indication of a bigger problem at play in the community.

“It’s not the retailer’s fault,” Tam Fry, British spokesman for the National Obesity Forum told HuffPost UK.

The pants for sale allow for a more generous fit. Photo: www.next.co.uk
The pants for sale allow for a more generous fit. Photo: www.next.co.uk

“The fact is, people as young as three are showing up at stores wanting to be clothed and clothing manufacturers have no alternative but to say: ‘You are a customer, you want to clothe your children, so we will produce a size of clothing that will fit your children’.”

The range is aimed at children between three and 16. Photo: www.next.co.uk
The range is aimed at children between three and 16. Photo: www.next.co.uk

Highlighting the obesity problem in the UK, it’s also an issue in Australia as well, with the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare revealing one in four children are overweight or obese.

The problem has also seen NSW Health introduce a scheme in June for children who come in contact with a health clinic or hospital be weighed.

Statistics show 25 percent of Aussie children are obese. Photo: Getty
Statistics show 25 percent of Aussie children are obese. Photo: Getty

Aimed at tackling childhood obesity by alerting parents to potential problems, it's hoped to help identify a need for healthy lifestyle changes or referrals to weight loss clinics.

“Get the children’s weight, get the height and feed the data in and it should act as a catalyst to head the child off to the right team for help," said Health Minister Brad Hazzard. "We also need to get the message out to GPs, who are usually working flat out, that if a child comes in with a sore throat, think about weight and height.”

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