The Australian government is considering a new health programme that would require primary school students to have their weight and height recorded.
Australia has the sixth worst rate of obesity in the world, and Malcolm Turnbull's government believes the scheme could help improve the health of young children in years one to six.
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The checks would be conducted by Global Obesity Centre, according to Yahoo News, and parents could opt their children out of the programme.
The country's Health Minister, Greg Hunt, says children's health is incredibly important to the government.
"The importance of exercise and good eating cannot be underestimated in giving them a lifelong platform to good health," Mr Hunt told News Corp Australia. "Being healthy as a child sets you up for life and we encourage children and parents to work together on adopting healthy lifestyles."
An OECD report released last year showed New Zealand had the third worst rate of obesity, only trailing the USA and Mexico.
Newshub.
