These are some of the findings from a consultation carried out by NCBfor the Children's Commissioner's Office on government proposals toregularly measure the height and weight of primary school children. Theconsultations, which involved children aged four to 11 in three schoolsin England, fed into recent guidance for primary care trusts.
Privacy was a key issue for many children. "If you are weighed and aretoo heavy other people will laugh," said one five-year-old girl, while a10-year-old boy commented: "I'd get scared and worried if the rest ofthe class were there in case you are fatter than you think you are."
"Our consultations show most children recognise the positive aspects ofhaving their height and weight measured," commented Jo Butcher fromNCB's children's development department. "It is important, however, forpractitioners to do what they can to address children's anxieties,particularly to ensure that monitoring does not reinforce the negativebody images children may have."
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