Store asked for school trousers with 54” waist

School uniforms with up to 54” trouser waistlines are being sold as the growing epidemic of childhood obesity continues.

The problem is particularly acute in primary schools and the demand for oversized uniforms is growing, according to Jonathan Eakin from Hunter Schoolwear in Cavan, a wholesaler that has been supplying shops nationwide for more than 40 years.

One in four primary school children are either overweight or obese and uniform suppliers have been increasing the waistlines, shirt collars and bust width sizes in order to meet the change in demand, Mr Eakin said.