The National Child Measurement Programme: Early experiences of routine feedback to parents of children's height and weight

Against the background of increasing prevalence of overweight and obesity among children and young people, the National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP) was established in 2005 to collect data on height and weight of all children in Reception (4-5 year-olds) and Year 6 (10-11 year-olds) in primary schools in England. The data, collected by Primary Care Trusts (PCTs), are used by government to track population trends in the prevalence of underweight, healthy weight, overweight and obesity and to inform local planning and delivery of services. To raise awareness about the importance of healthy weight and to help parents and their families engage with issues about healthy lifestyles and weight, PCTs have been encouraged to provide routine feedback to all parents on their child’s height and weight during 2008/9. In previous years, most PCTs did not routinely provide feedback although parents could request their child’s results. This small-scale study was commissioned by the Department of Health, to inform development of the National Child Measurement Programme, and in particular to suggest any revisions that might be necessary to the 2009/10 programme for PCTs covering the provision of routine feedback to parents on their child’s height and weight.