Student's Body Fat % on Report Cards

[RUgreek]

Originally posted by cash78mere
it's rather simple really. if parents are dumb enough to not realize that 200 pounds is not a healthy weight for an 8 year old, it's their problem. teachers are there to teach. like i said already, they can teach about nutrition and exercise, etc. but the PARENTS are responsible for keeping their kids healthy! this is part of schools' problems now--parents don't want to take responsibility for their own families. don't put blame and responsiblilty on teachers if a child is fat. put it on the PARENTS; that's the only place it belongs.

I guess if that's how most of you feel, i can't argue that. You're right, it really isn't the school's business to monitor or get involved in the health of children. I don't think they intended to humilate the children, but I did not know that children can become anorexic even as young as 2nd graders.

Parents should be responsible, and nobody wants to take over the child's control. Maybe putting this information on a report card is a bad idea, but I think the message they are trying to send is a postitive one. Well, i'm assuming it's a postitive one, but we know that money is always at stake with these legislators. Gauging the responses here, it's not likely this will pass anyway.

[AGDee]

While I don't believe that a BMI should be on a report card, and I definitely believe that parents have some responsibility, I also believe that the school holds some responsibility too. You also forget that some children have medical issues that have led to their obesity. I have two overweight children. They are both severe asthmatics as well. Any intense cardio sends them into asthma attacks and each of them are on prednisone a few times a year, which puts on the weight FAST. We eat very healthy at my house. I pack their lunches and include a low fat sandwich with diet/high fiber bread, a salad, a fruit and a low fat drinkable yogurt. They buy school lunch occasionally. However, I am continually getting bills from the school because my son buys something from the "snack cart" every day, even if I haven't put money in his lunch account. He buys cookies, ice cream, etc. He also connives junk from his friends. Addmittedly, they are with their dad half the time and HE doesn't give them healthy food ever. Their lunch when they are with him consists of a sandwich, cookies and chips. He always has chips and cookies sitting on the kitchen counter, along with chocolate cake and other assorted goodies. It's like a junk food buffet constantly. He insists that my son isn't "fat", he's strong. Well, he's not, he's fat. My daughter has been trying very hard to eat healthy and is very slowly losing weight, but it's very slow without the intense cardio she really could use. Each time one of them is on prednisone, they gain a huge amount in a few days and it doesn't go away.

I have talked to the school about my son's snack cart habits and they say that they simply can't police it. I have gotten them every type of active indoor toy I can find (DDR, a pogo stick, a treadmill, hula hoops, these moon shoe things that they can bounce around in) but they are definitely limited in what they can do outdoors in our climate. I am trying really hard, but face a lot of obstacles. I also am concerned about their self esteem. Once you have a self-image of being 'fat', it's difficult to rid yourself of it. I was an overweight child but was in a good weight range in high school. I still considered myself "fat", even when I weighed 130 pounds and looked darn good, I thought I was a cow. When I look at pictures of myself in high school now, I think "What was my problem?" I had been put on extremely strict diets as a child and learned that way to "sneak eat" and binge when I could get my hands on the good stuff. Those are very difficult habits to break once they are ingrained. I live in fear of creating those problems in my own children.

So, we are trying very hard to live a healthy lifestyle, exercising and eating right at MY house. They have too many other influences.

Oh yes, and school snacks! In the early grades of elementary, I was asked to send an a.m. snack, p.m. snack and a snack for latch key. So, in the 9 hours they were at school, most kids would eat 2 meals and 3 snacks! I would send healthy things, but I know that sometimes they managed to mooch cookies, chips, etc. from friends who didn't eat much.

It is easy to say it's all the parents (and I admit, their Dad is terrible and I've talked to him and even had the pediatrician talk to him), but there's so much more to it than just that.

Dee

[Lady Pi Phi]

Originally posted by sugar and spice
...As you said, "if the schools are going to be held accountable, they need to come up with something." Putting BMI on report cards is one thing they CAN do that requires minimal financial effort. I think it's hilarious that people don't care that schools can't get decent computers for our kids to use, yet they think they should be giving them personal trainers and diet assessments or something.

I think it's an idea that won't do anything, but hey if the school's think they're helping fine!

I don't think schools should be taking responsibility and their first priority is to provide the students with proper education tools like computers. Like I said before this isn't going to work. Parents just don't give a shit anymore.

[33girl]

Heather - I know you said that kids won't eat something healthy and just won't buy lunch. That is somewhat true. My high school got rid of the old meat/potatoes/veggie/dessert lunch because half of it was ending up in the garbage and went to an all a la carte menu. They had many varieties of pizza, stromboli, a salad bar, taco bar etc. and it was much more expensive so the kids only bought what they would actually eat. Maybe we didn't get the minimum RDA of every single vitamin, but it was better than McDonald's overprocessed garbage. At least it was prepared by our friendly lunch ladies on the premises.

This is what happened when a school district around here sent out letters telling parents their kidlets were obese.

And there was a story on the news about how some elementary schools only have 10 minutes of recess a day. The kids are pretty much chained to their desks and the school is not promoting exercise at all. I'm not saying recess will make fat kids skinny, but it is definitely a factor.

[RUgreek]

Originally posted by 33girl
This is what happened when a school district around here sent out letters telling parents their kidlets were obese.

I think that article was a postitive look at sending parents information about their overweight children. A certain amount will assume it's a shot at their failures as a parent and get all defensive, while a good amount of others will reach out and see if there is anything else they can do to help their children. Sometimes parents think they know it all just because they made the child. And then there are other paretns who are so frustrated with trying so many things and then they get this letter which puts them over the top. So they yell at the school because they can't get mad at the kid or themselves.

I know there are kids out there who have serious medical problems or eating disorders that are very difficult to fix. However, there is a great amount of kids that fall into obesity because of bad habits at home and during school. The parents that claim it's none of the school's business are the same ones that complain that schools aren't doing enough in some other area of their child's education.

I just think that most of these parents should stop getting defensive so instantly and think about what's best for their child, and not think that school's are trying to humilate them.

[sigmagrrl]

I want to respond to something Dee said.

I understand your challenge because I was an obese kid. When you want your naughty snacks, you find anyway you can to get them. Parents can try ALL THEY WANT, but if a kid wants their snack, they will find a way to get it....Do you know how sneaky and smart we fat kids are? All you do is ask three different friends for a quarter...BOOM you've got snack machine money!

I could go on and on about this, but I just wanted to tell Dee that I can sympathize for her situation...

[Peaches-n-Cream]

Last month my friend's daughter went to the pediatrician who reported that she is 25 pounds overweight. Since then she has begun a diet and workout program and has lost 11 pounds. Weight is such a touchy subject especially for girls, but I think that this girl was handled with sensitivity. I think that she has been successful because she was given tools to lose weight. She knows to eat three servings of fruit each day and to exercise for at least half an hour four times a week, and she does it. She also limits her snack intake. She also seems to be in a better mood which I think is the endorphins from working out.

AGDEE, I'm sorry to hear about your children's struggles with weight and asthma. I think as a mother you can only do so much. From what I have read, you are doing it. It must be so frustrating to have a school cafeteria and an ex who are not supporting your efforts. All that you can do is be a good example for them. When they are ready, I suspect that they will be open to your suggestions for healthy eating.

[krazy]

Can you imagine the crap these kids will have to go through if they do this? I mean, being this age is hard enough without your body fat % being placedon your report card.

The kids will be comparing %'s, there is no doubt about it. I do think something needs to be done, but not this. I think they shoudl send a letter to the parents maybe, but don't make it a public thing for the poor kids, for heaven's sake.

[cash78mere]

Originally posted by RUgreek
I don't think they intended to humilate the children, but I did not know that children can become anorexic even as young as 2nd graders.

it's amazing isn't it? but it's definitely true. i taught kindergarten and i had a girl who REFUSED to eat during school. i was always in contact with her mom because i was concerned, and she was concerned as well. but there was nothing i could do to make her eat.

this year i teach 2nd grade, and the girls are BRUTAL to each other. some of them make fun of each other's weight and they all compare clothes. it's the saddest thing. i always have to have talks with the class about not judging people based on appearances.

young children see skinny people and weight issues on tv, as well as in their homes. it's sad, and yet fascinating, that my 8 year old kids are already "watching their figure". times have changed.....

[AGDee]

I have actually considered trying to fight for full custody based on my ex-husband's lack of concern for the kids' weight. They did tell me today that they all joined a new community rec center and went swimming and walking on the track three times last week with him. I told my daughter to weigh herself and sadly, she gained a pound. She said to me "It doesn't matter how much I exercise if we eat out and get fast food all the time". One of the epidemiologists at work is doing a research study on family education and I think I'm going to try to get us in the study, if my ex will agree to it. He will have to go with us to nutrition classes which are geared toward teen/pre-teen girls. I also spotted some nutrition info about fast food places in her office and I'm going to ask her for one to share with my girlie. I'm hoping that if I give her the tools to make healthy decisions, she will make those good decisions on her own. She used to resent getting any info, but when I was on Weight Watchers, she started to ask how many points SHE was eating. We made a list of snacks (healthy and junk) and how many points they are and it's posted on the fridge. Then, if she's scavenging in the kitchen, she can look at the list and figure out the best options. A co-worker gave me the new CORE program for WW and I'm going to share that with Shannon too. I think it might be easier for her to focus on that type of program rather than counting the points since her dad isn't going to weigh or measure anything. If she lost 20 pounds and then maintained her weight, she'd grow into her weight within a year or two.

Thankfully, the kids haven't been too brutal to her. She's a smart, sweet and very caring and mature young lady. I think she's just so nice to others that most of them don't pick on her at all.

Dee

[RUgreek]

Originally posted by cash78mere
it's amazing isn't it? but it's definitely true. i taught kindergarten and i had a girl who REFUSED to eat during school. i was always in contact with her mom because i was concerned, and she was concerned as well. but there was nothing i could do to make her eat.

this year i teach 2nd grade, and the girls are BRUTAL to each other. some of them make fun of each other's weight and they all compare clothes. it's the saddest thing. i always have to have talks with the class about not judging people based on appearances.

young children see skinny people and weight issues on tv, as well as in their homes. it's sad, and yet fascinating, that my 8 year old kids are already "watching their figure". times have changed.....

Kids are psycho today, forget I ever offered an opinion. I am completely clueless about today's youth, especially when I read insane crap like this


RUgreek

[33girl]

Originally posted by cash78mere
this year i teach 2nd grade, and the girls are BRUTAL to each other. some of them make fun of each other's weight and they all compare clothes. it's the saddest thing. i always have to have talks with the class about not judging people based on appearances.

Make the little bias wear signs around their neck that say "dork" or whatever the latest insult is and tell everyone that they're not allowed to have recess and it's the bias' fault and they should shun them. They will be crying in their itty bitty Prada bags.

-33
--Sorry for biting your style Rudey, but this was a very "you" post

[cash78mere]

Originally posted by 33girl
Make the little bias wear signs around their neck that say "dork" or whatever the latest insult is and tell everyone that they're not allowed to have recess and it's the bias' fault and they should shun them. They will be crying in their itty bitty Prada bags.

and then i'll be fired for humiliating children and using cruel and unusual punishment.

you just can't win.

[enigma_AKA]

I know this may sound kind of mean at first, but I'll go ahead and say it:

To those who think that this is a bad idea because of being teased or other social implications, what's more important? The possibility of being teased or the possibility of sufferring severe health problems when you get older?

I was a chubby kid, as well. It didn't help that I was a asthmatic on steroids (and yes, they def. contribute to extreme weight gain), a nerd who hated outdoor sports and my parents and siblings all participated in sports in high school and college, only making me feel worse about being the only "fat one" in the family. Initially, they weren't as concerned, thinking maybe it was just baby fat, that I would possibly grow out of it, or become active in sports, just as the rest of my family had. Around third or fourth grade year, my pediatrician informed my parents that if I didn't watch it, my weight was going to sprial out of control and I was going to have bigger issues than just periodic asthma attacks at recess.

The remedy? Getting me involved beyond the academic extra-curricular scope and being more cognizant of the bigger picture: that despite the fact that I hated being the object of jokes, and hated playing dodgeball, I had to GET OVER IT and GET HEALTHY! I ran track, got a 13-speed bike, was encouraged to ride with my parents and sometimes even race them to the local high school track, and eventually developed some athletic (and social skills) that carried with me to high school, where I played field hockey, ran track, did well in school and eventually "grew out" of my asthmatic complications(still medicated, but only in a "need to" basis). Not to mention, I felt better and the pediatrician wasn't telling my parents to be careful anymore; they were writing participation release forms for me to be active in varsity sports.

I said all of that to say this: Of course, there are parents who don't think that their kids are fat, who don't care that their dietary habits (fast food, too little concern to prepared meals) are going to lead their "little darlings" to maybe an early grave or heavily medicated in their adult years, but just because they are ignoring this integral part of their children's lives (or maybe aren't educated on the detrimental role they are playing in their childrens' health), the school doesn't need to address it, because it isn't their role? Then whose role is it? Do we ignore it? Certainly not. If a little bit of embarrassment is enough for the parents to be OUTRAGED at the school for caring enough about the well-being of their child to send a note home saying "Dear Mr and Mrs---Your child is fat---GET A MOVE ON IT, PRONTO!", then so be it. I am sure that there are more creative and kindlier ways to alert the parents of these issues, but at this state of alarming rates of child obesity, we no longer need to be NICE, we need to be aggressively combating this disease, and starting when they are young. It's KILLING people.

enigma_AKA