The recent question “Should schools send home weight report cards?” has brought a lot of controversy. These “weight report cards” would be entered into the state wide data system that would allow officials to determine what part of the state has the greatest problem with obesity. Not only would these report cards be sent to the state but also the parents. Many believe that doing so will inform parents if their child is at risk and give them tips to help them. “A 2007 study from the University of Michigan C.S. Mott Children's Hospital found that only 13 percent of parents with obese children ages 6 to 11 rated their child as being very overweight, compared with 31 percent of parents with obese children ages 12 to 17. While, less than 10 percent of parents with obese children ages 6 to 11 said they were "very concerned" about their child's weight.”
Even though child obesity is a major issue many parents are out raged about schools giving their child a “weight report card.” Many parents feel it will hurt the child's self-image by having it made a big deal about getting weighed. There is a fear that it may lead overweight children to develop eating disorders and become self conscious about there bodies. Some parents think this will cause kids to be consumed by what they should look like and they believe they should not have to worry about that at such a young age.
Parents feel like child obesity is something that should be taken care of but should be done in different ways. One of those ways would be during health by focusing on what the child should be eating and how their food choices will effect them in their future. If schools are going to get involved in child obesity parents feel like they need to start with the food the school is providing the students. Many wonder how schools can tell students to not eat a certain food, then they turn around and serve it to them at lunch or have it available to them in vending machines.
I can say I have experienced this from the other side, as an overweight child. I remember being weighed in P.E. classes during elementary school and it being one of the most embarrassing moments during my elementary years, besides being made fun of for being overweight. I remember being taught to eat more fruits and vegetables but never how to limit less healthy foods. I do remember my teacher giving us BMI charts that way we could figure out our BMI on our own, so we did not have to do it in front of our peers.
I think it is a fantastic idea that they are wanting to improve our children’s health, but I feel like they could approach it in a little bit different way. One of these ways could be by sending out a monthly newsletter including nutritional tips and facts about child obesity, that way parents become more aware of the problem. Furthermore by taking charge of the foods that are available to students at school. That would include school lunches and vending machines. Even though children are taught to make better choices they are not always going to do so if the wrong thing is available for them.
I agree with the fact that if we require students to do this that it could cause self esteem issues or even eating disorders. I also agreet that schools should have healthier options for students if they are wanting to promote good health.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with you. It's frustrating how schools with make us weigh in front of our peers and talk about how we need to be more healthy, but the foods they are providing are not even the slightest bit healthy. I remember in high school we had the main line, pizza and fries or a salad bar. But half of the time, the salad bar didn't have anything or it was just available to teachers. It's hard to change habits when cafeteria food is sometimes one of the only meals a child sees. I think if schools started healthy eating habits and then branch to parents, it might be more effective.
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