National child measurement programme
Why it's necessary
The NHS needs to have a good understanding of how children are growing across the country, so that the best possible health services can be provided for them. As a result, a National Child Measurement Programme has been set up to weigh and measure children in England in Reception and Year 6. This important programme is now in its fifth year.
What happens?
Schools, parents and carers are sent a letter explaining the process.
The height and weight measurement is done by trained healthcare staff from your local NHS Primary Care Trust (PCT).
The measurements are done in school in a private area away from other pupils.
Children who take part are asked to remove their shoes and any heavy outdoor clothing. They are weighed in normal, light, indoor clothing.
The NHS school nurse records the measurement in the child’s school health record.
No child’s height or weight will be given to school staff or children. All results are treated confidentially.
Research has shown that parents want to receive their child’s results.
Your local NHS Primary Care Trust (PCT) sends the child’s measurement result in the post to the parent or carer. The letter also explains how to access further information and support. The PCT has worked with parents to make certain the result letter contains the information they require.
In order to get an accurate picture to help us understand and plan services for children across the country, we need to gather as much information as we can, by collecting all the results after children’s identifiable details have been removed.
Children will not be made to participate in the programme if they do not want to and parents and carers are given a form to opt out before the measurement takes place. This is sent out with the intial letter explaining the process.
How the results are calculated
Each child’s result is based on a body mass index (BMI) percentile, which is created using the height, weight, age and sex of the child. It is one of the best ways to tell if a child is a healthy weight.
You can enter a child’s details into the calculator at the link below to get an interpretation of whether they are a healthy weight for their height, sex and age. Unlike most online calculators, which work for adults only, this one calculates results for children too:
www.nhs.uk/tools/pages/healthyweightcalculator.aspx
