Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to protect the mental health of young people who participate in the National Child Measurement Programme.

Measurements are conducted in a sensitive way, in private and away from other children. Weight and height information is shared with parents in a feedback letter. No individual information is shared with the children themselves, the teachers or the school. It is a parent’s choice if they share the information with their child.

If a parent is concerned about their child’s growth, weight, body image or eating patterns the National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP) feedback letters provide national and local information to support parents and advise to seek further support from a school nurse or General Practitioner. Guidance is available to help NCMP delivery staff have supportive conversations with parents about their child’s health and growth.