Source · Select Committees · Women and Equalities Committee
Recommendation 8
8
Weighing children in primary schools under the National Child Measurement Programme is likely to cause...
Recommendation
Weighing children in primary schools under the National Child Measurement Programme is likely to cause harm to children’s mental health and could hinder the development of a positive body image. This is particularly damaging for Black children who are more likely to be incorrectly placed in the overweight or obese categories. We recommend that the Government urgently reviews the National Child Measurement Programme to ensure it is not creating undue body image pressures in children. The Government should urgently assess the need for the programme and seek other ways to collect this data. (Paragraph 59) Changing the perfect picture: an inquiry into body image 43 #NoFilter: is this advert real?
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government
Not Addressed
Public Health England (PHE) has a rigorous approach to reviewing the National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP) on an annual basis, which includes extensive review of evidence and consultation with stakeholders including families, and healthcare professionals across the fields of psychology, weight management, mental health and eating behaviours. The psychological impact of the NCMP was researched by University College London in 200825 prior to parent feedback letters being introduced and more recently, the PROMISE Trial looked at the benefits and harms of the programme.26 Both showed that body image, self-esteem, weight-related teasing and restrictive eating behaviours did not change as a result of being measured or providing feedback for overweight children. These studies also found that most children (96%) are indifferent or unconcerned about being weighed or measured. The small number of children (4%) that disliked the process were mainly from year six (children aged ten-11 years) which highlights the need for sensitivity when weighing and measuring older children. PHE recognises the importance of the wellbeing of the children and families involved in the NCMP, to ensure the measurements are conducted in a sensitive way. Operational Guidance on how the programme should be delivered is issued. PHE has produced guidance27 to support practitioners delivering the programme locally to engage in supportive conversations with parents about the NCMP and their child’s health. PHE will ask members of the NCMP Board to consider the concerns raised in the report. In England, the UK90/WHO growth reference is the standard used to assess body mass index in all children between two and 18 years. This is recommended by NICE CG189 and the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health child growth charts. PHE is aware of emerging research around the validity of using BMI centile for certain minority ethnic groups and whether it underestimates body fatness in South Asian populations and overestimates it in Black African populations. NICE has not provided any ethnic-specific guidance or recommendations on BMI and health risk concerning children from Black, Asian or minority ethnic groups because the evidence base is not yet sufficient. PHE will continue to explore the impact of the NCMP on children and their parents.