A superfit boy told by an NHS school nurse he is nearly obese has now developed a complex about his weight.

Toned Josh Adams, 11, is 4ft 7ins tall and weighs just 6st 5lb, but amazingly a government-driven assessment records him as overweight and bordering on being obese.

The sports-mad Swalecliffe Primary School pupil now refuses to eat some of his favourite foods and constantly checks his body in the mirror.

His mum Becky, 34, agreed for Josh to take part in the tests - part of the government's National Child Measurement Programme - but says she couldn't believe the results.

She said: "When the report came in the post I was so shocked - there's nothing of him.

"I thought they'd made a mistake and given me the results for another child. I had to check the name twice."

Mum-of-two Becky debated whether to tell Josh the results but eventually decided to break the news.

She said: "When I told him he laughed. But it was a nervous laugh and you could see his face drop.

"I could tell it was stewing on his mind and later that evening he wouldn't eat his shepherd's pie and wanted salad instead.

"He's been like that since and I keep catching him standing sideways and looking in the mirror.

"I've told him he's not fat and to stop worrying about it, but it goes in one ear and out the other."

In its fifth year, the National Child Measurement Programme is part of the government's campaign to tackle child obesity.

As part of the scheme, all children in reception class and year six have their weight and height measured and the results are collected on a national database.

Audio: Hear mum Becky Adams tell of Josh's shock at being told he's obese

But Becky, who runs R&B's gym in Herne Bay, says the tests are completely misguided and could cause some youngsters to develop eating disorders.

She said: "Kids face enough stress these days without having to worry about their weight.

"I know there are some children who need to address their weight for health issues, but Josh clearly isn't one of them.

"He plays football twice a week, eats healthily and is down the gym with us almost everyday.

"There's nothing more he could actually do if he wanted to lose weight. But because of these tests he now thinks he's fat and has a complex about his weight. I think it's disgusting."

• Facts about obesity on the Change4Life website
• Is your child overweight/obese? Calculate their BMI