What do you think about the new school BMI questions?

[Mouse House Mama]

I couldn't agree more that nutrition education and healthy lifestyle education should be across the board. However, I have no problems singling children out for intervention. In every other area, schools single children out for intervention. Super gifted...go to that program. Struggling a bit...go to that program. Have special needs...here is a program for you. Behavioral problems...here is your program. I don't see why this is any different.

Because you are singling a child out because of their appearance. It is wrong.

 

[ilandrazdsw]

I couldn't agree more that nutrition education and healthy lifestyle education should be across the board. However, I have no problems singling children out for intervention. In every other area, schools single children out for intervention. Super gifted...go to that program. Struggling a bit...go to that program. Have special needs...here is a program for you. Behavioral problems...here is your program. I don't see why this is any different.

And the kids get teased and made fun of too! Too smart, get teased for that. In special ed, get teased for that. Behavorial disorders, get teased for that too. Kids can be cruel, they don't need another label to help the teasing along.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

And the kids get teased and made fun of too! Too smart, get teased for that. In special ed, get teased for that. Behavorial disorders, get teased for that too. Kids can be cruel, they don't need another label to help the teasing along.

I agree. Why not just put a sign on their back that says "fatty." I don't need the schools focusing on my child's appearance. If it is interfering with their schoolwork then notify me. However, I doubt the size of someone's pants are going to prevent someone from learning their spelling words.

 

[taitai]

Because you are singling a child out because of their appearance. It is wrong.

No, not because of appearance. Because of health status

And the kids get teased and made fun of too! Too smart, get teased for that. In special ed, get teased for that. Behavorial disorders, get teased for that too. Kids can be cruel, they don't need another label to help the teasing along.

Do you really think that a fat kid won't get teased if no one knows their BMI? I think that is really naive. Kid's get teased for their name, their nose, their hair color, the funny thing they said in class. It is part of being a kid. It is going to happen irrespective of a BMI measurement. So, the best thing is to help the kid with his or her health and self-esteem by getting them healthy.

 

[Aristomommy]

Because you are singling a child out because of their appearance. It is wrong.

Obesity has little to do with someone's looks and a lot to do with their health. It is a serious health problem that shortens a child's lifespan, puts a great burden on society and health care and it certainly affects a child's self image. While many parents do what they can to help their children to live a healthy lifestyle, if a parent is obese, their child is likely to become obese as well. How can a parent teach health lifestyle options if they themselves can't lead by example? Schools provide many programs beyond academics, because this is the place most children can be reached effectively. Our health department has nutrition, exercise and health ed. programs that they present to all students in particular grades. Our police department present DARE programs every two years.

It is amazing how many children do not receive preventative health services and they are taken to ER for infections or fevers. Public health professionals are trying to find ways to reach these children and help them. I fail to see a down side to this.

 

[Bluetickmom]

Yes, I agree obesity is a MAJOR health crisis in our country right now. It is appalling on a certain level how accepting we have become of being severly over weight. But, I seriously doubt measuring and sending home a BMI reading will impact a childs health.

Most obese children who don't have a medical condition have obese parents. I seriously doubt enough people will make the lifestyle change necessary to combat the families medical situation to justify the time and money that would be spent measuring every child in the school.

That money would be better spent buying good jump ropes and having the kids skip rope every day for 15 minutes.

I also say if the kids got singled out for their weight or to monitor their BMI then can we as parents do the same to the school staff? What ever happened to leading by example.

 

[daisyduck123]

I also say if the kids got singled out for their weight or to monitor their BMI then can we as parents do the same to the school staff? What ever happened to leading by example.

I wouldn't care. I've been teaching 19 years.

I'm 5'7", 118 lbs.

 

[fussymonkey]

I wouldn't care. I've been teaching 19 years.

I'm 5'7", 118 lbs.

Thats nice for you, dear.

Here's the thing: we all know that seperate but equal is not equal. We know that when a child is singled out for intervention, that child has to bear the burden of being seperate and unequal to his or her normal weight counterparts. Listen to the words you all are using to describe the obese: unhealthy, stuff-thier-face-at-a-buffet, burden on society, part of a social problem. Singling out a child for intervention in a school system is placing these labels on the child- except those lables aren't coming from thier peers, the lables are coming from an insitution, from the ultimate authority figure. We spend all kinds of time trying to teach children that looks don't matter, that its ok to look and be different. Unless you're fat, that is.

I'm not arguing that childhood obesity is ok, or healthy or that we should do nothing about it. I am arguing that labeling a child for intervention based on his or her body shape can be terribly deterimental for the child's self esteem, and also for the child's privacy. I guess I'm someone that beleives in absolute privacy when it comes to medical information and decisions. Intervention in this case belongs with the physicians. If a child isn't getting the medical care he or she needs, then that's a whole other problem, you have a parent who likley needs other types of help looking after thier children.

In addtion, obese parents are raising thier kids the best they know how. To hear such parents referred to as inadequate and abusive is beyond disgusting. Skinny parents can and do sometimes demand thier children live up to a superficial ideal body image, where's the outrage there and cries for governmental intervention? Its one thing to look at creating perventative programs regarding obesity and encourage healthy eating- its another thing entierly to call a less healthy attitude about food abusive and inadequate parenting.

It is appalling on a certain level how accepting we have become of being severly over weight.

Its appaling how accepting we have become of the severly over weight? Seriously? Are we supposed to revile them? Ridicule them? Run them out of town with pitchforks and torches? Really, you're talking about children- damn right we are accepting of the overweight. You don't have accept obesity but you do have to accept the overweight, for God's sake. Really.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

No, not because of appearance. Because of health status

BMI does nothing to indicate anyone's health status.

Do you really think that a fat kid won't get teased if no one knows their BMI? I think that is really naive. Kid's get teased for their name, their nose, their hair color, the funny thing they said in class. It is part of being a kid. It is going to happen irrespective of a BMI measurement. So, the best thing is to help the kid with his or her health and self-esteem by getting them healthy.

My point is that they may get teased anyway but why would anyone purposely point it out and bring it to the forefront? Why make it such an issue? Teach the class about healthy eating, the food pyramid etc. It is not going to give anyone self esteem. I can tell you that right now. It is going to cause food issues with these kids. The schools should not be involved. Teach all you'd like but keep it general.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Thats nice for you, dear.

Here's the thing: we all know that seperate but equal is not equal. We know that when a child is singled out for intervention, that child has to bear the burden of being seperate and unequal to his or her normal weight counterparts. Listen to the words you all are using to describe the obese: unhealthy, stuff-thier-face-at-a-buffet, burden on society, part of a social problem. Singling out a child for intervention in a school system is placing these labels on the child- except those lables aren't coming from thier peers, the lables are coming from an insitution, from the ultimate authority figure. We spend all kinds of time trying to teach children that looks don't matter, that its ok to look and be different. Unless you're fat, that is.

I'm not arguing that childhood obesity is ok, or healthy or that we should do nothing about it. I am arguing that labeling a child for intervention based on his or her body shape can be terribly deterimental for the child's self esteem, and also for the child's privacy. I guess I'm someone that beleives in absolute privacy when it comes to medical information and decisions. Intervention in this case belongs with the physicians. If a child isn't getting the medical care he or she needs, then that's a whole other problem, you have a parent who likley needs other types of help looking after thier children.

In addtion, obese parents are raising thier kids the best they know how. To hear such parents referred to as inadequate and abusive is beyond disgusting. Skinny parents can and do sometimes demand thier children live up to a superficial ideal body image, where's the outrage there and cries for governmental intervention? Its one thing to look at creating perventative programs regarding obesity and encourage healthy eating- its another thing entierly to call a less healthy attitude about food abusive and inadequate parenting.

You said exactly what I have been trying to say! Thank you! I could not find the right words to say it.

Oh and to the 118lb teacher. Good for you. I could not eat for the next ten years and I still could not get down to and maintain 118lbs. I am glad you can but I am not unhealthy and I am nowhere near that weight.

 

[SharkyGoddess]

I wouldn't care. I've been teaching 19 years.

I'm 5'7", 118 lbs.

OH SNAP!!! That was YOU on SI last week????

 

[Aristomommy]

Thats nice for you, dear.

Here's the thing: we all know that seperate but equal is not equal. We know that when a child is singled out for intervention, that child has to bear the burden of being seperate and unequal to his or her normal weight counterparts. Listen to the words you all are using to describe the obese: unhealthy, stuff-thier-face-at-a-buffet, burden on society, part of a social problem. Singling out a child for intervention in a school system is placing these labels on the child- except those lables aren't coming from thier peers, the lables are coming from an insitution, from the ultimate authority figure. We spend all kinds of time trying to teach children that looks don't matter, that its ok to look and be different. Unless you're fat, that is.

I know from my experience that the intervention available is not something a child is singled out, like during recess all the obese kids go do push ups. Quite the opposite. All children will receive the same nutrition and healthy lifestyle information in class regardless of BMI. What is different in our schools is that some children can participate in other programs after school that other children do not even know about. The name of the class does not give it away, some parents are happy for the "free baby sitting" after school and the children are often sharing with their parents what they have learned. I have many success stories to share from this program and not one parent has complained (other than their child didn't qualify).

It is ok to be different, that is not the point of obesity prevention. It's a health problem though for many children that public health professionals can't ignore. Children are not to blame for their obesity and they should not be punished for it either.

For those who think that schools should ignore the problem, I am curious what solution you suggest to find a solution to the childhood obesity epidemic? It's easier to criticize the schools than to work on a solution. I believe all people involved are concerned for these children and want the best for them.

 

[Kickapoo Joie Juice]

I know there were posts about how much the obese are costing us medically, but I still come back to the feeling that your weight, and your children's weight, is your personal choice.

Once the kids grow up, and well before hand, there are literally thousands of diet books (which I don't believe in, btw-starving yourself isn't an answer), The Biggest Loser on tv, websites, etc that they can learn from. If they grow up fat, and at some point choose not to be fat, then they have a ton of information with which to make that change.

Look, I grew up very poor, and at a certain point, I looked at the choices my parents made (and continue to make) and say, that's not for me. Do I think they were bad parents for being so poor? No, I think they did their best. It's just that their best and my best are different.

Now look at that same statement and put the word "fat" where you see "poor".

There are a LOT of other synonyms you can put in that sentence that would define many families today. Still doesn't mean the government should step in and "fix" them...

 

[Aristomommy]

Once the kids grow up, and well before hand, there are literally thousands of diet books (which I don't believe in, btw-starving yourself isn't an answer), The Biggest Loser on tv, websites, etc that they can learn from. If they grow up fat, and at some point choose not to be fat, then they have a ton of information with which to make that change.

Look, I grew up very poor, and at a certain point, I looked at the choices my parents made (and continue to make) and say, that's not for me. Do I think they were bad parents for being so poor? No, I think they did their best. It's just that their best and my best are different.

Being poor and being obese are two very different things. Obesity and morbid obesity at childhood can have irreversible damage to a child's body. You can fix your credit or bank account, but you can't fix blood vessels, heart and cartilage once it's damage. Obesity affects all economic levels in this country.

 

[Kickapoo Joie Juice]

Being poor and being obese are two very different things. Obesity and morbid obesity at childhood can have irreversible damage to a child's body. You can fix your credit or bank account, but you can't fix blood vessels, heart and cartilage once it's damage. Obesity affects all economic levels in this country.

I didn't see a dentist until I was 14. I'd say there are some things in me you can't fix, either.

I maintain that there are all things about being "poor" or "fat" that are damaging. Just like divorce, neglect, any of the other things so many of us run into in childhood. Very few of us really live a fairy tale childhood.

I think for those few children that are so morbidly obese that their pediatrician would step in and say, hey, there's a real problem here. I still maintain it's not the school's job to police the parents, beyond ensuring that the child is receiving an adequate education.

That's why they call school "school" and not "life"...

 

[DawnM]

It is not only about choices or eating too much.

My kids are fed the same foods....one is chubbier than the other 2. Two of them are ideal height/weight and one isn't obese by any stretch, but he is chunkier.....he is FIVE YEARS OLD and is the 90% for weight on his chart. He doesn't wear husky clothing, but some of the slimmer cuts don't fit him well.

Just to say, I get tired of the "just choose to eat differently" when the kid is already eating differently.

We all have different body types and metabolisms. My husband is naturally thin and can eat anything and maintain his body weight. It is hereditary.

Me.....I am heading back to reading Dr. Phil's resistant weight loss chapter....

Dawn

 

[mjkacmom]

All this talk about making kids targets for bullies, singling kids out, etc. - although my kids get weighed and measured, I haven't even received a note home, never mind having my kids put in special programs (one of mine is "at risk," according to the BMI calculator). I've never heard of any of the kids at school being singled out. I do think there are parents who have no clue that their kids are as overweight as they are.

 

[taitai]

I think there is a tension here between the rights of the individual to be whomever and whatever he or she wants (in this case obese) and the needs of the community. If there was no Medicare and no Medicaid and abundant financial resources in this country, then, yeah, maybe I would have less of a problem with people indulging themselves and becoming morbidly obese. However, as it impacts the community in terms of lower productivity (these people die sooner and have tons of ailments that restrict their work ability) and the costs to society of their health care, then I do think it is a societal problem. As we cannot force everyone to see a pediatrician, but we can force everyone to go to school, then the schools seem the obvious place to start to look at this. Yes, BMI is not an ideal tool, but it the most cost-effective one out there right now. It is unfortunate that the schools have to be placed in this role but until parents step up and take more responsibility for their actions and their children's outcomes, that is the role the schools must assume.

 

[Colleen27]

For those who think that schools should ignore the problem, I am curious what solution you suggest to find a solution to the childhood obesity epidemic? It's easier to criticize the schools than to work on a solution. I believe all people involved are concerned for these children and want the best for them.

I think the schools do have a role, but that role should be limited to education about good health/nutrition and to providing healthful foods to the children they are entrusted with feeding. How hypocritical is it to have schools checking BMI and attempting to intervene to help kids who are overweight/obese when kids receving free/reduced meals can have a Pop Tart and chocolate milk for breakfast every morning?

There are a few things I think need to be done to help control the obesity issue in our country. I think our federal government needs to grow a pair, stand up to big business, and become a little more critical of the additives they approve for use in food. Several studies have linked high fructose corn syrup to overeating and obesity, but try to find a "kid" snack without it... It is in everything from fruit snacks to yogurt to ketchup to spaghetti-os, even most breads unless you're buying organic. But what do we hear about it? Solid nutritional studies get minimal press and the food industry takes out commercials on Nickelodeon promoting the safety of the crap. Likewise, there is growing evidence that artifical sweeteners mess with metabolism, but the common perception is still that switching to diet products is a way to lose weight.

Second, I think more needs to be done to encourage after school sports, particularly among low-income families. Many kids can't play little league or pop warner for lack of the $100+ registration fees, and many are stuck in afterschool care programs that don't offer much opportunity for active play. And as school budgets shrink and mandates grow, more and more districts are instituting "pay for play" for school-based sports programs, effectively eliminating the primary opportunity poor children once had to participate in athletics. Rather than worsening the problem by saddling schools with measuring students' BMI, we should be looking at ways to better fund such programs.

 

[taitai]

I agree about additives in foods but it isn't THAT hard to find foods without them. We do. Also, why do you even need "kid snacks?" Those things are loaded with sugar and junk. Why not feed the kids what you eat? An apple is an acceptable snack...it doesn't have to be Sponge Bob Fruit Snacks...give them the real thing. Also, spaghettios? Are you serious. Feed kids real foods, not crap in a can, and you are easily able to avoid the HFCS junk. As people stop buying that stuff, the companies will stop making it. They are in the profit-making business and only manufacture what people will buy. Don't buy it and it will stop being made.

Also, does your school district really serve pop-tarts for breakfast? That is amazing. What type of feedback are they getting from parents that allows that to continue?

taitai