What do you think about the new school BMI questions?

[Schmeck]

I homeschool, so I guess I should keep my opinions to myself, but I believe you send your child to school to learn, not to point out children with high BMI's. Janice

Yes, but the problem is that a combination of education reforms and neglectful parenting has made it the school's business to 'raise' the children they are entrusted to educate. Elementary school has become more focused on social skills than ever before as behavior issues are dealt with over and over again.

As I stated before, BMI is a starting point. What the parents decide to do with that info will be the most important part of the process.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Yes but let's say you have an overweight 2nd grader. Let's even go so far as to say that this child's eating habits are bad (although many are not). What is the school going to do? Monitor your child's food intake? (Cold day before I'd let that happen as a parent) Are they going to force the child to go to weight watchers with their family? It is ridiculous. It is not going to change anything. The only thing it is going to do it give the child self esteem problems. Here is an example-
I used to have to get weighed in gym class. I was much taller than my classmates. I was not overweight at all. I was not a waif but I was a normal sized kid. I was taller than everyone therefore I did not weigh 60-70lbs. They announce your weight and I was picked on terribly for it. I used to then skip lunch at school. The lunch aides used to make me buy lunch because they said I couldn't just sit there. I would give my lunch away. This was in elementery school. I will never forget the shame I felt. Now I look back and realize that I wasn't a cow. I am in my 30's and it still bothers me to this day. Their "weight control" did nothing for me except create problems. I never want to see a child go through that. If a child is severely overweight I would think it would be obvious. Then the school nurse should quietly contact the parents if they have a concern.
This topic just really hits home for me.

 

[WantToGoNow]

Well I would imagine both of my kids would be considered obese but it's not the job of the school - it me, my dh and my pediatrician to work out. My ds7 is in the 2nd grade has PE 2x a week for 30 minutes. They are just now starting to go outside for recess - they spent the entire winter inside. My dd5 is in preschool but has the equivalent of PE 2x a week as well but she has spent a great deal of time outside even during the winter. They both go outside immediately upon getting home and comes in when it gets dark (this isn't working very well with ds' homework though).


My ds7 has a lot of medical issues (allergies (some life threatening), asthma, reflux and other digestive issues and migraines) and takes a ton of medicine everyday - including two steriods that make him gain weight. He doesn't eat a large variety but when he has an asthma flare and starts on prednisone, he eats a ton. Right now, he's a month and a half short of being 8, is 4'6" and weighs 73 lbs - he's wearing a boys size 8 clothing and they are getting a bit tight. My pediatrician is not worried because he was always a very thin child until about a year and half ago when his asthma got a lot worse and he started having the migraines - the medicines for both of these cause him to gain weight/hold fluid.

My dd5 has always been a very solid child - even as a baby. She turned 5 in December, is 48" tall and weighs 53 lbs - she is wearing a girls 6x clothing.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Yes, but the problem is that a combination of education reforms and neglectful parenting has made it the school's business to 'raise' the children they are entrusted to educate. Elementary school has become more focused on social skills than ever before as behavior issues are dealt with over and over again.

As I stated before, BMI is a starting point. What the parents decide to do with that info will be the most important part of the process.

I don't really agree with this but let's say it is true. The school lunches are packed with junk. They sell more junk food than a circus. You can get juice (which has the same sugar amount as soda) or milk with your lunch. (my kids can't have milk- allergies) Why can't they get a bottle of water? They can if they pay another $1 for it.
So they want to monitor what I do at home but they get to serve up crap on a platter? I don't think so. When the school serves healthy food then maybe they can talk to me.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

What about the kids that are naturally very thin? Will they be calling the parents telling them they must fatten their kids up?

 

[katyjeka]

Maybe if the schools did not send hours of homework home every night, children would have more time to play outside, which is exercise, and would lower BMI's. I can only imagine how hard it is on kids that are labeled in school as obese, like it or not, kids tease. We take exercise and healthy eating habits very seriously in our family, but I feel for children that are overweight, and still feel it is not the schools job to label students.

 

[crisi]

What about the kids that are naturally very thin? Will they be calling the parents telling them they must fatten their kids up?

They did in the 1950s with my mother. And when I was in high school I had a classmate with anorexia and the school was VERY involved.

Public health has always been a secondary objective for the school districts. Kids get health and PE, are supposed to learn the nutrition pyramid. They get sex ed and "just say no." I'm old enough to have gotten vaccinated in the schools. You have to fill out forms regarding your kids vaccination status, what allergies they have.

BMI will tag people who are under weight for their height as well. It isn't the best measure - the amount of muscle will throw it off, and it isn't a good measure for young kids who do that "pudge out and sprout up" thing. It depends on what they are doing with this information.

 

[RMulieri]

I personally don't see a problem I am a nurse and once upon a time was a school nurse.As long as the schools also offer health and nutrition info for those kids with a higher Bmi, I think it could be beneficial.It identifies a POTENTIAL risk factor and is not a totally accurate measurement.Heck my BMI is high my weight fluctuates between 10 and 15 lbs a day depending on the time of day, etc. I know this about myself and I try to live a healthier Fit lifestyle.PArt of the problem is that Many kids have no health insurance &do not see Dr's regularly .We used to have screenings at School including vaccines for the kids that had no insurance, and our numbers of kids that lined up were huge( and this is not an urban area)Plus I think it is probably a Government initiative since we have a record obesity rate in this country that is only getting worse, and sorry you can't blame it on the schools lack of PE. Some of these kids ( my nieces included) sit in school, eat junk, come home and eat more junk and sit in front of the tv and/or the computer. We should not be seeing kids with cholesterol levels that rival a 70 yr old male, or that weigh as much as an adult.IF it helps people get educated, helps balance lunches at school and get kids fit, I am all for it.

 

[Kickapoo Joie Juice]

I'm sure the schools are not choosing to do this. It's probably coming from higher up. If they are going to do it, I hope it comes with support for families with obese children. There are many many in my kids' school and many parents don't teach healthy eating to their children so the whole family is obese. My best friend is a PE teacher and discusses health and nutrition with her students. I know it must suck for parents to hear it, but steps taken early in life can have a positive effect.

It's not the school's job or place to tell the parents to stop eating too much, or feeding their kids too much.

The fat parents know they're fat, they know their kids are fat, they don't need the school to tell them.

 

[Kickapoo Joie Juice]

Yes, but the problem is that a combination of education reforms and neglectful parenting has made it the school's business to 'raise' the children they are entrusted to educate. Elementary school has become more focused on social skills than ever before as behavior issues are dealt with over and over again.

As I stated before, BMI is a starting point. What the parents decide to do with that info will be the most important part of the process.

A lot of parents won't parent unless *made* to parent. The minute the school steps in and says, hey, let me take this over for you, many of those "parents" are more than happy to have their child's behavior, health, and emotional issues attended to by the government, rather than doing the work themselves.

I say we start handing those jobs BACK to the parents. You start EXPECTING parents to step up to the plate and do a better job, and many will. The ones that don't should not be the problem of the school.

School should be a place where you are intellectually educated. Your parents should be the ones teaching you about everything else...

 

[crisi]

It's not the school's job or place to tell the parents to stop eating too much, or feeding their kids too much.

The fat parents know they're fat, they know their kids are fat, they don't need the school to tell them.

People argue that it isn't the school's place to teach kids about sex. Or drugs. And maybe it isn't - but we historically HAVE taught kids about public health issues. And obesity is a huge public health issue for us - it increases our medical costs, it contributes to diseases like cancer, heart disease and diabetes.

In the past we've been able to use public health initiatives through the schools to actually accomplish things. Teen pregnancy went down. Lice are much more under control than they used to be. Drug use went down. If a school focused public health initiative on obesity can help us get it more under control, that will be better for obese children, and better for society.

 

[Kickapoo Joie Juice]

People argue that it isn't the school's place to teach kids about sex. Or drugs. And maybe it isn't - but we historically HAVE taught kids about public health issues. And obesity is a huge public health issue for us - it increases our medical costs, it contributes to diseases like cancer, heart disease and diabetes.

In the past we've been able to use public health initiatives through the schools to actually accomplish things. Teen pregnancy went down. Lice are much more under control than they used to be. Drug use went down. If a school focused public health initiative on obesity can help us get it more under control, that will be better for obese children, and better for society.

Having just read a bunch of books on behavioral economics, I would agree that all of these topics are pertinent to what's going on in america today.

However, there's a difference between learning about the causes of obesity (which would be an appropriate topic for a health class or as an adjunct to a home economics class) and lining your kids up against the wall to weigh them.

 

[lindsmom]

I really don't like it. In our elementary school the 2nd and 3rd grade PE teacher measures the kids BMI. I remember my niece coming home all upset when the she was told her BMI was too high, and she needed to lose weight. I do not think it is the schools place to measure BMI.

This is what I think is wrong - if they're going to do the measurements, the info should be sent home CONFIDENTIALLY. For EVERYONE (if only the "fat" kids info goes in a sealed envelope, the other kids know who's "fat") Letting the child know at school is just wrong, for exactly that reason.

It's not the school's job or place to tell the parents to stop eating too much, or feeding their kids too much.

I agree, as well with PP who asked what was next - will the school regulate what goes in the lunch boxes? Where will they stop? I'm not saying everyone gets healthy food lmao for their meals - I know one girl who happens to be skinny, but she gets about a dozen oreos for her snack each day. uck!

The fat parents know they're fat, they know their kids are fat, they don't need the school to tell them.

I wonder how true this is - a peer of mine had a daughter within months of me, and at age three she was wearing size 7 clothes (size 11 at 7 years), and her parents thought nothing of the poor child eating three or four hot dogs for lunch. They seemed genuinely surprised when they kept getting told their child was at an unhealthy weight.

On a side note, here in MA they're also suggesting a "cake and candy" tax, including those and soda, perhaps some other "unhealthy" foods. While I understand what they're saying, trying to save health care costs short and long term, I have to question where if ever, the government will stop?

 

[DawnM]

If the schools are concerned about BMI then PLEASE for the love of God, FEED the children nutritious food at school! No processed crap! Studies show that a school lunch is less nutritious than a Happy Meal!

Add more PE time, show that they value exercise, teach more about food nutrition values, and model what you teach by giving them REAL food!

Ok, off my soapbox!

Dawn

 

[Kickapoo Joie Juice]

I wonder how true this is - a peer of mine had a daughter within months of me, and at age three she was wearing size 7 clothes (size 11 at 7 years), and her parents thought nothing of the poor child eating three or four hot dogs for lunch. They seemed genuinely surprised when they kept getting told their child was at an unhealthy weight.

My mother insists she's not obese. But she won't step on a scale. She says "I just need to lose a few pounds."

So I think there's a difference between not "knowing" you're fat, and not admitting it. The fact that she won't step on a scale means that she can insist she doesn't "know" she's fat. Therefore, in her mind, she's not fat.

I just don't think it's our job to force people into changing their behaviors. Which is what I think the BMI tests are aimed at.

Way, way too much government interference. Especially from our government, who with their school lunches and random PE, is SO Pot Calling Kettle Black....

 

[Manda]

The fat parents know they're fat, they know their kids are fat, they don't need the school to tell them.

This is just simply not true. The perception of thin, normal, fat, "chubby", etc., in the US is very skewed. People don't realize how badly overweight and obese they are unless they are morbidly obese (if that). And especially when it comes to people's kids... I can't tell you how many times I've heard parents be shocked (SHOCKED!) and angered because their doctor or whoever had the nerve to tell them that their child was obese and they clearly believe the child not to be. It's just still their baby fat, right? People just don't get it. I think this is meant to be an attempt at giving parents that wake-up call... not necessarily to inform the school.

I actually started to explain to my Mom one day about this article that I was reading about how the American perception of normal weight is skewed and I said, "Like I'm overweight and need to lose about 20 pounds, but..." and my Mom jumped in - "NO! You are not overweight! You're beautiful!" Thanks for proving my point, Mom.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Having just read a bunch of books on behavioral economics, I would agree that all of these topics are pertinent to what's going on in america today.

However, there's a difference between learning about the causes of obesity (which would be an appropriate topic for a health class or as an adjunct to a home economics class) and lining your kids up against the wall to weigh them.

Exactly! Teach children something worthwhile. Don't line them up like cattle and give them a kick in the self esteem department. What if you had a child that was on steroids for breathing issues? Is it necessary to tell the school about every single thing? It is none of their business. What about thyroid issues? Heck what if that child is just built differently? I have 4 kids. Each one has a different body type. Each one is evaluated by their DOCTOR and they have said that they are fine. I don't need the school to come in and analyze anything. Thanks but no thanks. It is none of their business. They go to school to learn academics. Nothing more.

 

[tzolkin]

My husband is going back to school for his bachelor's in nursing. Last semester their project was to work with the schools to track the BMI info for our county. (Tracking BMI is going to be required for New York state, so the college was offering to help the schools with collecting the data.) My husband went to some of the school board meetings and took measurements of the kids in school.

I'm sure the schools are not choosing to do this. It's probably coming from higher up. If they are going to do it, I hope it comes with support for families with obese children. There are many many in my kids' school and many parents don't teach healthy eating to their children so the whole family is obese. My best friend is a PE teacher and discusses health and nutrition with her students. I know it must suck for parents to hear it, but steps taken early in life can have a positive effect.

At the meetings my DH went to most parents seemed to be supportive. There were concerns with confidentiality and they discussed how the information would be sent home: report cards, separate, info offered at evening meetings open to all parents. Acutally some of the schools were more worried than the parents that they might be labeled a "fat" school.

Yes but isn't this the job of their doctor? Not the PE teacher. It is now mandatory in NYS to report your BMI info. It has to be filled out by your doctor. It just annoys the heck out of me because it has nothing to do with school. Even though I find the vaxing stuff to be over the top I can at least understand that it could effect other students. If someone has a child with a high BMI it's not like it is contagious. I am so tired of the schools (ie the government) getting involved in things that are none of their business.

ETA- If the whole family is obese do you really think the PE teacher is going to teach a 1st grader how to get their whole family to eat better?

In our area the PE teacher has nothing to do with it. The children are brought into the nurse's office individually, so they are not being weighed in front of their classmates. If there is an issue the parents can discuss it with the nurse. They were also considering setting up some education programs for parents/families.

Honestly some kids don't see a doctor (and some doctors don't bother to actually talk to the kids or parents). Many of the kids in our schools get their physicals at school. That Dr/PA may not have the time discuss BMI or healthy eating with the kids, and if the parent isn't there they may not be getting the message.

If the schools are concerned about BMI then PLEASE for the love of God, FEED the children nutritious food at school! No processed crap! Studies show that a school lunch is less nutritious than a Happy Meal!

Add more PE time, show that they value exercise, teach more about food nutrition values, and model what you teach by giving them REAL food!

Ok, off my soapbox!

Dawn

I agree! In our school district almost all of the students receive free breakfast/lunch. The point of that program is that they're supposed to be getting a nutritious meal(s) because they may not be eating anything healthy at home. My kids don't buy lunch because there is nothing on the menu that I would allow them to eat. (Yes, we occasionally have pizza or a burger, but we also eat fresh fruits and vegetables that day. Mozzarella sticks as an entree ) Once I let my DD get the pizza. The vegetable... french fries. The fruit... some sugary cherry cobler that she wouldn't touch.

They did slightly increase their gym this year to 3 times a week instead of every other day and they have recess every day.

 

[crisi]

However, there's a difference between learning about the causes of obesity (which would be an appropriate topic for a health class or as an adjunct to a home economics class) and lining your kids up against the wall to weigh them.

Is that what is happening? Is this like the scolosis checks we did in junior high where a bunch of 12 year old girls stood around in our underwear and bent over so the school nurse could check for spine curves? Or is it being handled in a confidential fashion?

Also, what is the data being used for? - it sounds like even schools aren't clear on that. Is it being used to individually target kids for intervention - and if so, what parameters are being used? Is it being used in aggregate to correlate with location or socio-economic class to determine public policy?

 

[Mouse House Mama]

My husband is going back to school for his bachelor's in nursing. Last semester their project was to work with the schools to track the BMI info for our county. (Tracking BMI is going to be required for New York state, so the college was offering to help the schools with collecting the data.) My husband went to some of the school board meetings and took measurements of the kids in school.


At the meetings my DH went to most parents seemed to be supportive. There were concerns with confidentiality and they discussed how the information would be sent home: report cards, separate, info offered at evening meetings open to all parents. Acutally some of the schools were more worried than the parents that they might be labeled a "fat" school.

Of course they were! They don't want any label that doesn't say AMAZING! It is still none of their business.


In our area the PE teacher has nothing to do with it. The children are brought into the nurse's office individually, so they are not being weighed in front of their classmates. If there is an issue the parents can discuss it with the nurse. They were also considering setting up some education programs for parents/families.

Honestly some kids don't see a doctor (and some doctors don't bother to actually talk to the kids or parents). Many of the kids in our schools get their physicals at school. That Dr/PA may not have the time discuss BMI or healthy eating with the kids, and if the parent isn't there they may not be getting the message.

Well my kids do see a doctor. Plenty of them. I should be able to opt out of this nonsense. I don't want anyone discussing BMI with my children. PERIOD. I don't care if it is the school nurse or a doctor. That is for me as a PARENT to address in a way that I see fit. I don't make food an issue in our house. I had enough issues with it growing up that I will never do that to my children. I make healthy choices for them. They think it is the norm. We don't discuss weight at all. As you can see I have a huge problem with this. Getting weighed and ridiculed in school was one of the things that helped me have a poor body image. I would not wish that stress on any child.


I agree! In our school district almost all of the students receive free breakfast/lunch. The point of that program is that they're supposed to be getting a nutritious meal(s) because they may not be eating anything healthy at home. My kids don't buy lunch because there is nothing on the menu that I would allow them to eat. (Yes, we occasionally have pizza or a burger, but we also eat fresh fruits and vegetables that day. Mozzarella sticks as an entree ) Once I let my DD get the pizza. The vegetable... french fries. The fruit... some sugary cherry cobler that she wouldn't touch.

They did slightly increase their gym this year to 3 times a week instead of every other day and they have recess every day.

.