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The National Child Measurement Programme

  • Last modified date:
    29 October 2008

The National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP) is one element of the Government’s work programme on childhood obesity, and is operated jointly by the Department of Health (DH) and the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF).  The NCMP was established in 2005.

Every year, as part of the NCMP, children in Reception and Year 6 are weighed and measured during the school year to inform local planning and delivery of services for children; and gather population-level surveillance data to allow analysis of trends in growth patterns and obesity.

The NCMP also helps to increase public and professional understanding of weight issues in children and is a useful vehicle for engaging with children and families about healthy lifestyles and weight issues.  To encourage engagement, parents can request their child’s results from their Primary Care Trusts (PCTs).

Legislative changes to the National Child Measurement Programme

The Government is seeking to improve the effectiveness of the National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP). We intend that, all parents of children in Reception (4-5 years old) and Year 6 (10-11 years old) who take part in the NCMP will receive their child’s results, regardless of their weight, unless the parent requests not to receive the results.

Guidance for PCTs: 2008/09

This guidance has been developed following wide consultation with primary care trusts (PCTs), schools and parents. It provides advice to PCTs on:

  • arrangements for measuring the height and weight of primary and middle school children as part of the National Child Measurement Programme;
  • sending parents their child’s results – whether routinely or on a request-only basis; and
  • submitting data to the NHS Information Centre for inclusion in the national database.

Weighing scales for the National Child Measurement Programme

Guidance for schools for 2007/08

Guidance for schools is available on the Teachernet website. The guidance explains how and why the NCMP is being undertaken and explains schools' role in the process. PCTs may wish to remind school staff about this guidance, in order to engage them with the programme or to help address any specific queries they might have.

National Child Measurement Programme 2006/07: Guidance for analysis by Public Health Observatories

The National Obesity Observatory has, on behalf of the Cross-Government Obesity Unit, produced a guidance document for Public Health Observatories (PHOs) that want to undertake regional analysis of the National Child Measurement programme national dataset. The guidance includes information on providing feedback of results to schools. PHOs might want to liaise with their PCTs to discuss what analysis would be useful for local areas. The amount of analysis a PHO undertakes in a decision for them.

Parents' leaflet: “Why your child’s weight matters”

The Government has developed an information booklet for parents: “Why your child’s weight matters”, which includes information for parents about

  • the National Child Measurement Programme
  • why maintaining a healthy weight is important
  • steps that parents can take to help their family lead a healthy lifestyle.

Children's flyer

This flyer and poster is for Year 6 children to help them understand what will happen when they are weighed and measured as part of the NCMP. It will also help PCTs and schools engage with parents and children about the programme.

Copies of the A4 flyer can be ordered from the DH Publications Orderline by calling 0300 123 1002 quoting code 286903, or by emailing: dh@prolog.uk.com.  The A3 poster can be ordered by quoting 286904.

NCMP film clips

The Government has developed two short films as a resource for people working on the NCMP.

How to measure: for PCT and school staff
This film is intended for use by PCT staff to complement practical training and should be used in conjunction with the NCMP guidance. The film is also for use by school staff to see what will happen as part of the programme in their school.

Being measured: for children
This film is designed for use with children taking part in the NCMP to help prepare them for what will be expected of them when they are weighed and measured.

PCTs can order one copy of the films in DVD format free of charge by emailing:

Research into parental attitudes towards the routine measurement of children’s height and weight

In 2007, the Department of Health commissioned research on parental attitudes towards the National Child Measurement Programme.

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