Background Information

The National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP) is an important element of the Government’s work programme on childhood obesity, and is operated jointly by the Department of Health (DH) and the Department for Education (DfE). The NCMP was established in 2006.

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).

• For more information about the programme - Department of Health
• To view the published data and report – NHS Information Centre

Slide sets for child obesity

NOO have produced a Powerpoint slide set which presents key data and information on child obesity (including NCMP data) in clear, easy to understand charts and graphics

• Child Slide Set

Metadata

Methodology: Measured height and weight classified using the ‘population monitoring’ thresholds of the 85th and 95th centiles of the British 1990 growth reference population (UK90) to classify children as overweight or obese (in clinical settings the 91st and 98th centiles tend to be used.) Data on child's ethnicity and geography also collected.
Start date: 2006/07
Frequency of survey: Annually
Most recent return: 2009/10
Commissioned by: Department of Health
Data stored by: The NHS Information Centre for health and social care Coverage: GOR, LA, PCT, LSOA
Caveats: Relies on good uptake rates and completion of ethnicity and postcode data fields.
Link to data source: NCMP on Information Centre website, NOO NCMP e-Atlas & Maps

Contact:

NCMP@noo.org.uk