Weight management service opens to support Cheshire East families

 

Cheshire East Council is launching a new weight management service to help overweight primary-age children get healthier.

Let’s get movin’ is an exciting new referral programme funded by Cheshire East Council and delivered by Everybody Sport and Recreation.

The national child measurement programme, NCMP, has been established in the UK since 2005 for parents worried about their child’s weight.

The purpose of the NCMP is to measure the height and weight of children at all state-maintained primary and middle schools. It is a mandatory service, which was taken over by local authorities in 2013.

The weighing and measuring is undertaken by a qualified health professional with reception and year six children, unless parents decide to opt out of the service.

Councillor Liz Durham, Cheshire East Council cabinet member for children and families, said: “It is a really positive step that we are now able to refer parents and guardians to a designated programme that will work for them to get healthier outcomes for themselves and their families.

“Previously, we have been able to offer advice and signpost them to some degree but having this service available to those that need that support is a significant, positive step.”

Let’s get movin’ is open to all young people aged 4-18 and their families in order to support them to make lifestyle changes to help them reach and maintain a healthy weight.

All parents and guardians of the children being weighed and measured are notified by schools that a health professional will visit and provide this service. The visits will take place between Easter and the school summer holidays.