Massachusetts took a major step forward today in the fight against childhood obesity by unanimously voting to screen children in the state’s public schools for obesity. A record of a child’s BMI will be sent home to parents, nicknamed the “fat report card.”
In Fall 2009 the screenings will begin, and students in grades 1, 4, 7 and 10 will be tested. Parents will have the option to opt-out. In addition to the BMI (Body Mass Index), which is a standardized method of determining how under or over weight a person is, the report card will also share ways in which parents can help their child’s weight and encourage parents to meet with a pediatrician.
“We think it would be a mistake to just send home a number and leave parents hanging without providing an interpretation,” said Dr. Lauren Smith, medical director of the state Department of Public Health.
A healthy, or normal, BMI can range from 14 for a two-year-old to 26 for an 18-year-old.
Children's BMI chart (via Health.com)
Source: Boston Globe
April 8th, 2009
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(Page 1 of 1, 3 total comments)juls
Nice of them to call it a "fat report". What genius thought of this?
posted Sep 26th, 2010 11:05 pmRobert Muniz
Interesting comment on the so-called "nanny state." If you really believe that grading school students on weight is extreme, then let's abolish all report cards for students. Why are some parents afraid of standards for their kids? These are probably the same people opposing other measures to hold people accountable for results in our educational systems.
posted Dec 20th, 2009 4:50 pmCLN
This is going to prove to be a slippery slopr. Heather K. is correct in her comment. My thoughts exactly. I also don't beleive the state should stick its nose into this. Nanny state for sure.
posted Oct 22nd, 2009 10:03 am