All children attending Year 6 are asked to take part in the National Child Measurement Programme. As part of this programme, children are weighed in school and – if their BMI is in the overweight or obese categories – their families are sent a letter containing advice on how to help them lose weight. Young people, parents and clinicians have expressed concerns that this programme could increase young people’s worries about their body image and, in turn, the risk that they might develop eating disorders or other mental health problems. However, the impact of this programme on young people’s mental health has never been evaluated. In this study, we will explore whether children whose families have received a letter advising weight loss are at higher risk of developing eating disorders and other mental health problems. We will do this by using information on young people’s BMI derived from the National Child Measurement Programme measurement and information on primary and secondary care presentations for mental health problems as well as data on school absences.
15/10/2024
2 years
