Child measurements

Tracking children’s levels of overweight and obesity is an important proxy indicator of

overall health. Height and weight measurements can be used to calculate body mass

index, from which levels of overweight and obesity can be derived. Weight status is

also one of the indicators included in the State of the Nation’s Children report for

2024: using data from the childhood obesity surveillance initiative, it reported that

20% of first-class children (age 7 approximately) were overweight or obese (p.88).

The association between obesity and both predictors of the disease, and health

outcomes linked to it, can be explored, as can trends in obesity prevalence over time.

Recommendations for Cohort 24 at 3 years:

•As at previous in-person waves of the study, it would be preferable to have a trained interviewer take the child’s height and weight measurements with clinically-approved equipment.

2.5 Summary of New Topics