From September this year, parents of children in the UK, who have been weighed and measured at school could automatically receive their child's results in a bid to get parents to be more aware about healthy lifestyles, and help their children achieve a healthy weight, the British Government has announced.
National Child Measurement Programme
At present children aged 4-5 and 10-11 years old are automatically weighed at school as a part of the National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP) introduced by the UK Government in 2005 as a part of an attempt to reduce childhood obesity. The programme is not a mandatory one; however, all schools are encouraged to participate.
Trained staff, such a school nurse, weigh and measure the children. Care is taken that it is done in a sensitive way with the measurements being taken in a separate room or screened off area. Pupils are not told about other pupils' weight and height and the results are not shown to teachers or other school staff.
The aims of the NCMP are to gather population-level surveillance data to allow analysis of trends in growth patterns and obesity, and enable Britain’s National Health Service and local authorities to use the data to set local targets as part of wider policies covering public health.
This national push for change is aimed at enabling every citizen in the UK to get the encouragement and support he needs to be healthy - from what is seen on the television, to what is bought in the local supermarket, to the resources in the local community, to traveling to and from work or school, to the information and advice given by health professionals.
A Growing Problem!
The report from the NCMP for the year 2006-2007 reveals the problem facing the UK. The data gathered shows that in the 4-5 year old age range 1 in 4 children are overweight or obese and in the 10-11 year old age range this increased to 1 in 3 children. Whilst the figures show that roughly equal numbers of boys and girls are overweight, obesity is much more prevalent in boys in both age groups. There also appears to be a link between deprivation and obesity as well as a higher prevalence rate in urban areas.
Eighty per cent of schoolchildren - an increase of 32 per cent compared to the previous year - were weighed and measured in 2006/7
For the coming academic year (2008-2009) which begins in September, the Government has suggested that the NHS Primary Care Trusts (PCTs), which gather the data, should introduce routine feedback of the results to all parents stating that they strongly believe that providing parents with their child’s results is a vital way of engaging both children and families about healthy lifestyles and weight issues.
At present, about 40 percent of PCTs have said they intend to automatically contact parents in the next school year, and a further 40 percent will decide once they have studied the new guidance issued by the Government.
Why the New Guidance?
Introducing the plans to inform parents of results, Britain’s Care Services Minister Ivan Lewis said,
"It's clear from research we've done that parents want to know their child's results and whether there is a concern about their health. But they want clear information which is helpful and non-stigmatising.
“We have published guidance which will help PCTs deliver this programme and help to make sure parents get the information they need about their child's results in ways that they have said will be most helpful.
"Research shows that most parents of overweight or obese children think that their child is a healthy weight. This important move isn't about pointing the finger and telling parents that their children are overweight, instead it's about equipping parents with the information they need to help their children live healthier lives."
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