Table 1 Wording from specimen result letters to parents and carers by child’s weight category (NCMP operational guidance 2010/2011)

Underweight

Your child’s result is in the underweight range.

We wanted to let you know your child’s result because it is an important way of checking how your child is growing.

Many underweight children are perfectly healthy, but sometimes it can mean they have a health problem.

Some parents find it help to re-check their child’s BMI after a few months, to see if they have moved into the healthy range as they grow. You can do this using the Healthy Weight tool at: http://www.nhs.uk/Tools/Pages/Healthyweightcalculator.aspx

If you would like to speak to us about your child’s result, please phone the number at the top of this letter.

Healthy weight

Your child’s result is in the healthy range.

We wanted to let you know your child’s result because it is an important way of checking how your child is growing.

Children of a healthy weight are more likely to grow into healthy adults. To keep growing healthily, it is important that your child eats well and is active.

Some parents find it helpful to re-check their child’s BMI after a few months, to see if they remain in the healthy range as they grow. You can do this using the Healthy Weight tool at: http://www.nhs.uk/tools/pages/healthyweightcalculator.aspx

Many parents have found the tips in the enclosed leaflet and at http://www.nhs.uk/change4life useful in helping them make changes to help their child grow healthily. If you would like more advice about your child’s eating or activity, visit http://www.nhs.uk/change4life or phone the number at the top of this letter.

Overweight

You may be surprised that your child’s result is in the overweight range.

It can sometimes be difficult to tell if your child is overweight as they may look similar to other children of their age, but more children are overweight than ever before.

Research shows that if your child is overweight now, they are more likely to grow up to be overweight as an adult. This can lead to health problems. So this measurement is an important was of checking how your child is growing.

Many parents have found the tips in the enclosed leaflet and at http://www.nhs.uk/change4life useful in helping them make small lifestyle changes to keep their child in the healthy weight range.

Some parents also find it helpful to re-check their child’s BMI after a few months, to see if they remain in the healthy range as they grow. You can do this using the Healthy Weight tool at: http://www.nhs.uk/tools/pages/healthyweightcalculator.aspx

If you are concerned about the result and would like further information and to find out about local activities, please phone us on the number at the top of this letter.

Very overweight

Your child’s result is in the very overweight range. Doctors call this clinically obese. We wanted to let you know your child’s result because it is an important way of checking how your child is growing.

Children who are very overweight are more likely to have health problems at a young age, such as high blood pressure, early signs of type 2 diabetes and low self-confidence. Later in life, they are more likely to have illnesses like heart disease and some types of cancer.

Small lifestyle changes started now can help your child to grow healthily. Many parents have found the tips in the enclosed leaflet and at http://www.nhs.uk/change4life useful in helping them make changes to help their child grow healthily.

Some parents also find it helpful to re-check their child’s BMI after a few months, to see if they have moved towards the healthy range as they grow. You can do this using the Healthy Weight tool at: http://www.nhs.uk/tools/pages/healthyweightcalculator.aspx

If you are concerned about the result and would like further information, please phone us on the number at the top of this letter.