This report summarises the key findings from the Government's National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP) for England, 2012-13 school year. The report provides high-level analysis of the prevalence of 'underweight', 'healthy weight', 'overweight', 'obese' and 'overweight and obese combined' children, in Reception (typically aged 4-5 years) and Year 6 (typically aged 10-11 years), measured in state schools in England in the school year 2012-13. Public Health England's Obesity Knowledge and Intelligence Team (PHE Obesity K&I), previously the National Obesity Observatory (NOO), publish a detailed annual NCMP report which contains additional specific analyses not included in the HSCIC summary report. This report is expected to be published in early 2014. The anonymised national data set will also be made available to Public Health Observatories (PHOs) to allow regional and local analysis of the data. In addition, PHE Obesity K&I include NCMP data in an online data tool that enables the user to examine patterns and trends at local authority level. This interactive data tool will be updated with the 2012/13 NCMP data in early January 2014. See 'Look up results for your area' on the right hand side to access this tool.

Note 27/01/12: An error affecting 2 rows in each of Table 3A and 3B within the NCMP England, 2010/11 Online Tables excel workbook have been identified. The errors affect figures for Central Bedfordshire Unitary Authority (row 216 in each table) and Cornwall Unitary Authority (row 385 in each table). The errors do not affect England level figures or data shown for any other breakdowns within other tables. The pdf file NCMP England, 2010/11 Report is unaffected. The NCMP England, 2010/11 Online Tables excel workbook has been re-issued with a corrected version of Tables 3A and 3B. These tables also have revised footnotes. Please see the errata note for further information. The NHS IC apologises for any inconvenience this may have caused. Summary: This report summarises the key findings from the Government's National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP) for England, 2010/11 school year. The report provides high-level analysis of the prevalence of 'underweight', 'healthy weight', 'overweight', 'obese' and 'overweight and obese combined' children, in Reception (aged 4-5 years) and Year 6 (aged 10-11 years), measured in state schools in England in the school year 2010/11. The National Obesity Observatory (NOO) will produce additional analysis of 2010/11 NCMP data (expected to be published in Spring 2012). The anonymised national dataset will also be made available to Public Health Observatories (PHOs) to allow regional and local analysis of the data. In addition, NOO have included 2010/11 NCMP data (as well as data from previous years) in an e-Atlas - an interactive mapping tool that enables the user to compare a range of indicators, examine correlations and make regional and national comparisons. See 'Look up results for your area' on the right hand side.

Abstract copyright UK Data Service and data collection copyright owner.

The National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP) was first established in 2005. It is an annual programme which measures the height and weight of children in Reception and Year 6 within state maintained schools. Some independent and special schools also choose to participate.

The measurement process is overseen by trained healthcare professionals in schools and not shared with school staff or pupils. Data are captured and validated by Primary Care Trusts (PCTs). The Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC) (prior to 1 April 2013 the NHS Information Centre for Health and Social Care (NHS IC)) then collates the data at a national level, conducts further validation and analysis, and publishes an annual report. The National Obesity Observatory (NOO) also publish detailed analysis of the NCMP dataset annually. The validated national NCMP dataset is shared with Public Health Observatories (PHOs) in accordance with the terms of a data sharing agreement. The PCTs also undertake additional analyses at regional and local level to inform the work of the NHS and local authorities on the healthy weight agenda.

The NCMP was set up in line with the Government's strategy to tackle obesity and to:

• inform local planning and delivery of services for children
• gather population-level data to allow analysis of trends in growth patterns and obesity
• increase population and professional understanding of weight issues in children
• be a vehicle for engaging with children and families about healthy lifestyles and weight issues

Further information can be found at the Health and Social Care Information Centre National Child Measurement Programme webpage.


For the second edition (January 2013) a revised version of the database was deposited, with new additional tables included. The documentation has been updated accordingly.

Main Topics:
The database includes information on anthropometric measurements of Reception Year and Year 6 children in schools in England, collected during the school year as part of the NCMP.

The database comprises tables covering BMI classification (every pupil is classified into only one BMI category); Government Office Region codes; a range of NCMP data at Primary Care Trust level; a range of NCMP data at record level; information on primary schools that did and did not participate in the NCMP Programme; a description of the school type codes; a range of NCMP data at SHA level; and information on urban/rural indicators. For a full list of fields, and descriptions within the database please refer to the metadata documentation. The database is a ‘reduced’ version of the full NCMP dataset to ensure that the risk of disclosure is minimal. See documentation for details of omitted fields.

Standard Measures:
Since children’s height and weight are dependent on age and sex, height and weight measurements must be standardised to take these factors into account. The standardised value is a 'z-score' and indicates how far, and in what direction, the measurement deviates from the average (mean) for that age and sex. A formula ('Cole's method') is used to standardise height, weight and BMI (see Cole, T. (1997) 'Growth monitoring with the British 1990 growth reference', Archives of Disease in Childhood, 76(1), pp.47–49). For every measurement, age (in months) and sex, there is a growth curve based on the UK 1990 Growth Reference. This provides the values required by the formula to allow the height, weight and BMI z-score to be calculated. The z-scores are converted to p-scores and allow every child to be assigned to a BMI classification using defined cut-offs. Please see the 'NCMP Guidance for Analysis' in the documentation for further details.

The National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP) was first established in 2005. It is an annual programme which measures the height and weight of children in Reception and Year 6 within state maintained schools. Some independent and special schools also choose to participate.

The measurement process is overseen by trained healthcare professionals in schools and not shared with school staff or pupils. Data are captured and validated by Primary Care Trusts (PCTs). The Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC) (prior to 1 April 2013 the NHS Information Centre for Health and Social Care (NHS IC)) then collates the data at a national level, conducts further validation and analysis, and publishes an annual report. The National Obesity Observatory (NOO) also publish detailed analysis of the NCMP dataset annually. The validated national NCMP dataset is shared with Public Health Observatories (PHOs) in accordance with the terms of a data sharing agreement. The PCTs also undertake additional analyses at regional and local level to inform the work of the NHS and local authorities on the healthy weight agenda.

The NCMP was set up in line with the Government's strategy to tackle obesity and to:

• inform local planning and delivery of services for children
• gather population-level data to allow analysis of trends in growth patterns and obesity
• increase population and professional understanding of weight issues in children
• be a vehicle for engaging with children and families about healthy lifestyles and weight issues

Further information can be found at the Health and Social Care Information Centre http://www.ic.nhs.uk/ncmp" title ="National Child Measurement Programme">National Child Measurement Programme webpage.

For the second edition (January 2013) a revised version of the database was deposited, with new additional tables included. The documentation has been updated accordingly.

This report summarises the key findings from the Government's National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP) for England, 2009/10 school year. The report provides high-level analysis of the prevalence of ‘underweight', ‘healthy weight', ‘overweight' and ‘obese' children, in Reception (aged 4–5 years) and Year 6 (aged 10–11 years), measured in state schools in England in the school year 2009/10 and 2010/11.

Interactive web application featuring the percentage of children who were classified as overweight or very overweight (obese) as part of the National Child Measurement Programme for reception age school children. Summarised by Southend's wards, the map can be swiped to easily show the difference in childrens measurements taken in school academic year 2013-2014 compared with school academic year 2017-2018. Further analysis can be done by clicking on Southends wards in the map to view childrens measurement percentages.

Interactive web application featuring the percentage of children who were classified as overweight or very overweight (obese) as part of the National Child Measurement Programme for year 6 primary school children aged 11 years old. Summarised by Southend's wards, the map can be swiped to easily show the difference in childrens measurements taken in school academic year 2013-2014 compared with school academic year 2017-2018. Further analysis can be done by clicking on Southends wards in the map to view childrens measurement percentages.

The National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP) involves the annual measurement of the height and weight of children in Reception (age 4-5) and Year 6 (age 10-11). This report provides an overview of NCMP data from Camden schools in 2016/17 , with a particular emphasis on demographic analysis.

Please note: This document was updated on 8/8/18 to correct a small error impacting the interpretation of results by deprivation for Reception and Year 6.

The National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP) involves the annual measurement of the height and weight of children in Reception (age 4-5) and Year 6 (age 10-11). This report provides an overview of NCMP data from Camden schools in 2017/18 , with a particular emphasis on demographic analysis and deprivation. An infographic presenting key messages from this analysis is also available.

National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP) profile of Southend's pupils in Reception and Year 6 - 2019/20

Prevalence of underweight, healthy weight, overweight and obese children.

The data covers children in Reception year (aged 4-5) and Year 6 (aged 10-11)

There is the potential for error in the collection, collation and interpretation of the data (bias may be introduced due to poor response rates and selective opt out of larger children which it is not possible to control for).

The National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP) does not include children in the Independent sector, therefore, coverage of school children aged 4-5 is not complete.

Data from The Health and Social Care Information Centre, Lifestyle Statistics / Department of Health Cross-Government Obesity Unit NCMP Dataset.

95% confidence intervals should be taken into account when making direct comparisons of two different prevalence figures.
Where confidence intervals overlap, it is not possible to say that a difference is statistically significant.

Local Authority mapping in this data has been based on school location. Since 2010/11 data by location of pupil residence is also available from the Information Centre website.

Ward level data can be downloaded from the National Obesity Observatory website and is also shown in the GLA ward profiles.

Relevant links: http://www.hscic.gov.uk/ncmp

http://www.hscic.gov.uk/searchcatalogue?productid=13778&topics=1%2fPublic+health%2fLifestyle&pubdate=DEC%2c2013&sort=Relevance&s

This is the percentage of year 6 children who are living with obesity and includes children who are living with severe obesity.

The BMI classification of each child is derived by calculating the child's BMI centile and assigning the BMI classification. Obese is defined as a BMI centile greater than or equal to the 95th centile. Severely obese is defined as a BMI centile greater than or equal to 99.6 (This BMI classification is a subset of the "Obese" classification).

The results are derived from the postcode of the school. Measurement of children's heights and weights, without shoes and coats and in normal, light, indoor clothing, was overseen by healthcare professionals and undertaken in school by trained staff. Measurements could be taken at any time during the academic year. Some children could be over one year older than others in the same school year at the point of measurement. This does not impact upon a child's BMI classification since BMI centile results are adjusted for age.

The National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP) collects height and weight measurements of children in reception (aged 4-5 years) and year 6 (aged 10-11 years) primarily in mainstream state-maintained schools in England. Local authorities are mandated to collect data from mainstream state-maintained schools but collection of data from special schools (schools for pupils with special educational needs and pupil referral units) and independent schools is encouraged.

Data is Powered by LG Inform Plus and automatically checked for new data on the 3rd of each month.

Child Obesity and Excess Weight data from the National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP, published by Public Health England).

NCMP data is an annual survey of children attending state schools, which is the denominator for percentages. Figures are based on child residence postcode. Data is shown for Lincolnshire and Districts, Wards, and NHS Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG).

The data shows children at risk of obesity and excess weight (which includes overweight and obesity). It uses population monitoring criteria, not clinical assessments which might give lower prevalence rates. NCMP data covers state schools but does not include independent sector children, and some larger children may opt out.

The data is updated annually. Source: Public Health England (PHE) National Obesity Observatory.

Proportion of children aged 4 to 5 years classified as living with obesity. For population monitoring purposes, a child’s body mass index (BMI) is classed as overweight or obese where it is on or above the 85th centile or 95th centile, respectively, based on the British 1990 (UK90) growth reference data. The population monitoring cut offs for overweight and obesity are lower than the clinical cut offs (91st and 98th centiles for overweight and obesity) used to assess individual children; this is to capture children in the population in the clinical overweight or obesity BMI categories and those who are at high risk of moving into the clinical overweight or clinical obesity categories. This helps ensure that adequate services are planned and delivered for the whole population.

Rationale There is concern about the rise of childhood obesity and the implications of obesity persisting into adulthood. The risk of obesity in adulthood and risk of future obesity-related ill health are greater as children get older. Studies tracking child obesity into adulthood have found that the probability of children who are overweight or living with obesity becoming overweight or obese adults increases with age[1,2,3]. The health consequences of childhood obesity include: increased blood lipids, glucose intolerance, Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, increases in liver enzymes associated with fatty liver, exacerbation of conditions such as asthma and psychological problems such as social isolation, low self-esteem, teasing and bullying.

It is important to look at the prevalence of weight status across all weight/BMI categories to understand the whole picture and the movement of the population between categories over time.

The National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence have produced guidelines to tackle obesity in adults and children - http://guidance.nice.org.uk/CG43.

1 Guo SS, Chumlea WC. Tracking of body mass index in children in relation to overweight in adulthood. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 1999;70(suppl): 145S-8S.

2 Serdula MK, Ivery D, Coates RJ, Freedman DS, Williamson DF, Byers T. Do obese children become obese adults? A review of the literature. Preventative Medicine 1993;22:167-77.

3 Starc G, Strel J. Tracking excess weight and obesity from childhood to young adulthood: a 12-year prospective cohort study in Slovenia. Public Health Nutrition 2011;14:49-55.

Definition of numerator Number of children in reception (aged 4 to 5 years) with a valid height and weight measured by the NCMP with a BMI classified as living with obesity or severe obesity (BMI on or above 95th centile of the UK90 growth reference).

Definition of denominator Number of children in reception (aged 4 to 5 years) with a valid height and weight measured by the NCMP.

Caveats Data for local authorities may not match that published by NHS England which are based on the local authority of the school attended by the child or based on the local authority that submitted the data. There is a strong correlation between deprivation and child obesity prevalence and users of these data may wish to examine the pattern in their local area. Users may wish to produce thematic maps and charts showing local child obesity prevalence. When presenting data in charts or maps it is important, where possible, to consider the confidence intervals (CIs) around the figures. This analysis supersedes previously published data for small area geographies and historically published data should not be compared to the latest publication. Estimated data published in this fingertips tool is not comparable with previously published data due to changes in methods over the different years of production. These methods changes include; moving from estimated numbers at ward level to actual numbers; revision of geographical boundaries (including ward boundary changes and conversion from 2001 MSOA boundaries to 2011 boundaries); disclosure control methodology changes. The most recently published data applies the same methods across all years of data. There is the potential for error in the collection, collation and interpretation of the data (bias may be introduced due to poor response rates and selective opt out of children with a high BMI for age/sex which it is not possible to control for). There is not a good measure of response bias and the degree of selective opt out, but participation rates (the proportion of eligible school children who were measured) may provide a reasonable proxy; the higher the participation rate, the less chance there is for selective opt out, though this is not a perfect method of assessment. Participation rates for each local authority are available in the https://fingertips.phe.org.uk/profile/national-child-measurement-programme/data#page/4/gid/8000022/ of this profile.

Proportion of children aged 10 to 11 years classified as living with obesity. For population monitoring purposes, a child’s body mass index (BMI) is classed as overweight or obese where it is on or above the 85th centile or 95th centile, respectively, based on the British 1990 (UK90) growth reference data. The population monitoring cut offs for overweight and obesity are lower than the clinical cut offs (91st and 98th centiles for overweight and obesity) used to assess individual children; this is to capture children in the population in the clinical overweight or obesity BMI categories and those who are at high risk of moving into the clinical overweight or clinical obesity categories. This helps ensure that adequate services are planned and delivered for the whole population.

Rationale There is concern about the rise of childhood obesity and the implications of obesity persisting into adulthood. The risk of obesity in adulthood and risk of future obesity-related ill health are greater as children get older. Studies tracking child obesity into adulthood have found that the probability of children who are overweight or living with obesity becoming overweight or obese adults increases with age[1,2,3]. The health consequences of childhood obesity include: increased blood lipids, glucose intolerance, Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, increases in liver enzymes associated with fatty liver, exacerbation of conditions such as asthma and psychological problems such as social isolation, low self-esteem, teasing and bullying.

It is important to look at the prevalence of weight status across all weight/BMI categories to understand the whole picture and the movement of the population between categories over time.

The National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence have produced guidelines to tackle obesity in adults and children - http://guidance.nice.org.uk/CG43.

1 Guo SS, Chumlea WC. Tracking of body mass index in children in relation to overweight in adulthood. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 1999;70(suppl): 145S-8S.

2 Serdula MK, Ivery D, Coates RJ, Freedman DS, Williamson DF, Byers T. Do obese children become obese adults? A review of the literature. Preventative Medicine 1993;22:167-77.

3 Starc G, Strel J. Tracking excess weight and obesity from childhood to young adulthood: a 12-year prospective cohort study in Slovenia. Public Health Nutrition 2011;14:49-55.

Definition of numerator Number of children in year 6 (aged 10 to 11 years) with a valid height and weight measured by the NCMP with a BMI classified as living with obesity or severe obesity (BMI on or above 95th centile of the UK90 growth reference).

Definition of denominator Number of children in year 6 (aged 10 to 11 years) with a valid height and weight measured by the NCMP.

Caveats Data for local authorities may not match that published by NHS England which are based on the local authority of the school attended by the child or based on the local authority that submitted the data. There is a strong correlation between deprivation and child obesity prevalence and users of these data may wish to examine the pattern in their local area. Users may wish to produce thematic maps and charts showing local child obesity prevalence. When presenting data in charts or maps it is important, where possible, to consider the confidence intervals (CIs) around the figures. This analysis supersedes previously published data for small area geographies and historically published data should not be compared to the latest publication. Estimated data published in this fingertips tool is not comparable with previously published data due to changes in methods over the different years of production. These methods changes include; moving from estimated numbers at ward level to actual numbers; revision of geographical boundaries (including ward boundary changes and conversion from 2001 MSOA boundaries to 2011 boundaries); disclosure control methodology changes. The most recently published data applies the same methods across all years of data. There is the potential for error in the collection, collation and interpretation of the data (bias may be introduced due to poor response rates and selective opt out of children with a high BMI for age/sex which it is not possible to control for). There is not a good measure of response bias and the degree of selective opt out, but participation rates (the proportion of eligible school children who were measured) may provide a reasonable proxy; the higher the participation rate, the less chance there is for selective opt out, though this is not a perfect method of assessment. Participation rates for each local authority are available in the https://fingertips.phe.org.uk/profile/national-child-measurement-programme/data#page/4/gid/8000022/ of this profile.

SUMMARYTo be viewed in combination with the ‘Levels of obesity, inactivity and associated illnesses: Summary (England)’ dataset.This dataset shows where there was no data* relating to one of more of the following factors:Obesity/inactivity-related illnesses (recorded at the GP practice catchment area level*)Adult obesity (recorded at the GP practice catchment area level*)Inactivity in children (recorded at the district level)Excess weight in children (recorded at the Middle Layer Super Output Area level)* GPs do not have catchments that are mutually exclusive from each other: they overlap, with some geographic areas being covered by 30+ practices.GP data for the financial year 1st April 2018 – 31st March 2019 was used in preference to data for the financial year 1st April 2019 – 31st March 2020, as the onset of the COVID19 pandemic during the latter year could have affected the reporting of medical statistics by GPs. However, for 53 GPs (out of 7670) that did not submit data in 2018/19, data from 2019/20 was used instead. This dataset identifies areas where data from 2019/20 was used, where one or more GPs did not submit data in either year (this could be because there are rural areas that aren’t officially covered by any GP practices), or where there were large discrepancies between the 2018/19 and 2019/20 data (differences in statistics that were > mean +/- 1 St.Dev.), which suggests erroneous data in one of those years (it was not feasible for this study to investigate this further), and thus where data should be interpreted with caution.Results of the ‘Levels of obesity, inactivity and associated illnesses: Summary (England)’ analysis in these areas should be interpreted with caution, particularly if the levels of obesity, inactivity and associated illnesses appear to be significantly lower than in their immediate surrounding areas.Really small areas with ‘missing’ data were deleted, where it was deemed that missing data will not have impacted the overall analysis (i.e. where GP data was missing from really small countryside areas where no people live).See also Health and wellbeing statistics (GP-level, England): Missing data and potential outliers dataDATA SOURCESThis dataset was produced using:- Quality and Outcomes Framework data: Copyright © 2020, Health and Social Care Information Centre. The Health and Social Care Information Centre is a non-departmental body created by statute, also known as NHS Digital.- National Child Measurement Programme: Copyright © 2020, Health and Social Care Information Centre. The Health and Social Care Information Centre is a non-departmental body created by statute, also known as NHS Digital. - Active Lives Survey 2019: Sport and Physical Activity Levels amongst children and young people in school years 1-11 (aged 5-16). © Sport England 2020.- Active Lives Survey 2019: Sport and Physical Activity Levels amongst adults aged 16+. © Sport England 2020.- GP Catchment Outlines. Copyright © 2020, Health and Social Care Information Centre. The Health and Social Care Information Centre is a non-departmental body created by statute, also known as NHS Digital. Data was cleaned by Ribble Rivers Trust before use.- Administrative boundaries: Boundary-LineTM: Contains Ordnance Survey data © Crown copyright and database right 2021. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.- MSOA boundaries: © Office for National Statistics licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Contains OS data © Crown copyright and database right 2021.COPYRIGHT NOTICEThe reproduction of this data must be accompanied by the following statement:© Ribble Rivers Trust 2021. Analysis carried out using data that is: Copyright © 2020, Health and Social Care Information Centre. The Health and Social Care Information Centre is a non-departmental body created by statute, also known as NHS Digital; © Sport England 2020; © Office for National Statistics licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Contains Ordnance Survey data © Crown copyright and database right 2021. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.CaBA HEALTH & WELLBEING EVIDENCE BASEThis dataset forms part of the wider CaBA Health and Wellbeing Evidence Base.