Parents to get child weight data

Plans to send parents their children's weight under the National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP) have been criticised.

The amendment to the NCMP has been made in the Health and Social Care Bill which has just been introduced to Parliament.

Currently school nurses measure the height and weight of children aged between four and 11 under the NCMP but the results are only available to parents on request.

The Government has added the amendment to the bill to help combat obesity but the scheme will remain optional to children and parents.

Sharon White, professional officer for the School and Public Health Nurse Association, said: 'My concern is the support for parents told their child is over weight.

‘They will need help to unpick the things that have lead to their child being obese in the first place.’

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