National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP)
The National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP) measures and assesses the height and weight of children in reception (aged 4-5) and year 6 (aged 10-11) within primary schools.
In Lambeth, the NCMP has been carried out since it was launched nationally in the 2005/2006 academic year.
Why it is important that your child is measured
This measurement will tell you if your child is in the healthy weight range. Also, if your child is overweight, very overweight or underweight, you can get support locally (see the section on the Lambeth Healthy Weight Care Pathway Programme below). The information about where and how this support can be accessed will be included in a letter that is sent to you with the results of your child’s weight.
Your child does not have to take part, but every child who's measured is helping us have more of an understanding about how children are growing. In Lambeth, around 95% of children tend to take part.
The more children who take part, the clearer that picture will be. The information collected helps the local authority and the NHS to plan and provide better health and wellbeing services for the children in your area.
What happens
If you have a child in reception or year 6, you will receive a letter with more information from your local authority before your child is measured.
On the day, trained staff from Evelina/Guy's and St Thomas’ nursing team will weigh your child and measure their height while they are in their clothes at school.
They'll make sure the measurements are done sensitively and in private, and your child's results will not be shared with teachers or other children.
How we work out a child’s weight category
A child's weight is measured using the body mass index (BMI). This is calculated by dividing their weight (in kilograms) by the square of their height (in metres).
This is then plotted on a centile chart which compares the BMIs of other children of the same age and gender. These charts are very similar to the height and weight centile charts that are used in a baby’s red book and take into account the child’s age and sex.
The BMI centile categories for underweight, healthy weight, overweight and very overweight are shown below:
- Underweight - <2nd centile
- Healthy weight - 2nd - <91st centile
- Overweight - ≥91st centile
- Very overweight - ≥98th centile