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Scoping the impact of the national child measurement programme feedback on the child obesity pathway: study protocol
Catherine Falconer1, Minhae Park, Aine Skow
1Department of Non-Communicable Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK. Catherine.falconer@lshtm.ac.uk
Insights
This study evaluates the National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP) feedback on parental perceptions of childhood overweight, behaviors, and service use. Findings will guide future NCMP planning and interventions for child weight management.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Child Health Surveillance
- Health Services Research
Background:
- The National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP) in England measures primary school children's height and weight.
- The NCMP provides parents with feedback on their child's weight status.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of NCMP feedback on parental risk perceptions of overweight.
- To assess changes in parental lifestyle behaviors and health service utilization following NCMP feedback.
- To determine the cost-effectiveness and optimal delivery method (letter vs. letter plus telephone) of NCMP feedback.
Main Methods:
- Prospective cohort study involving parents and primary care providers across five trusts.
- Baseline and three follow-up questionnaires administered over one year to measure risk perception, behaviors, and service use.
- Qualitative interviews to explore barriers and facilitators to behavior change; preliminary cost analysis of feedback delivery.
Main Results:
- Preliminary data on National Health Service costs associated with weight feedback delivery.
- Identification of effective feedback approaches for parental engagement.
- Understanding of how NCMP feedback influences parental views on child weight and related health behaviors.
Conclusions:
- This study offers the first large-scale evaluation of NCMP feedback effectiveness.
- Findings will inform the future development and implementation of the NCMP.
- Evidence generated will support targeted interventions for childhood obesity prevention.
Background:
The National Child Measurement Programme was established to measure the height and weight of children at primary school in England and provides parents with feedback about their child's weight status. In this study we will evaluate the impact of the National Child Measurement Programme feedback on parental risk perceptions of overweight, lifestyle behaviour and health service use.
Methods:
The study will be a prospective cohort study of parents of children enrolled in the National Child Measurement Programme and key service providers from 5 primary care trusts (administrative bodies responsible for providing primary and secondary care services). We will conduct baseline questionnaires, followed by provision of weight feedback and 3 follow up questionnaires over the course of a year. Questionnaires will measure change in parental risk perception of overweight, health behaviours and health service use. Qualitative interviews will be used to identify barriers and facilitators to change. This study will produce preliminary data on National Health Service costs associated with weight feedback and determine which feedback approach (letter and letter plus telephone) is more effective.
Discussion:
This study will provide the first large scale evaluation of the National Child Measurement Programme feedback. Findings from this evaluation will inform future planning of the National Child Measurement Programme.
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