Why is it headlines on the radio news that schools are now going to inform all parents how much *their* ...?

Question

.. children weigh rather than just "parents who request it" in an effort to cut down on obesity.
Surely most parents weigh their own children anyway and know damn well if they are overweight.
I am all for school medicals and so on like we used to have (and that includes the nit nurse) but surely this is ridiculous?

I just heared it on the radio news and the reference was to obesity.
There will probably be more details on the BBC news/website tomorrow.

Well as I say I would support proper,regular school medicals like we used to have with parents being able to attend if they so wished and picking up eyesight/hearing problems this way was useful as they may not be so obvious to parents at home.
My real puzzlement was over something as basic as weighing and measuring and why those parents who wanted the results would ask for them - surely those parents could weigh and measure their own children at home too so would know the results anyway and those who didn't ask for the results wouldn't be so bothered anyway.
Anyhow here is the report up now - it would seem that by the time they start school the pattern is already set but surely *most* parents know that already too -

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7055735.stm

Answer 1

Joan, I don't know if that is true or not,but some parents turn a blind eye to issues that may be negative about their child.Sometimes parents need to realize that weight can lead to serious health issues.I'm not talking just about being obese I'm also talking about those people with eatting disorders like bulemia and anorexia. Perhaps some parents just don't offer balanced meals at home ( based on a lack of money or ignorance about nutrition). It may seem obvious that a parent would be aware of issues concerning their child but it is not so.You would also think a parent would know if their child had behavoral issues but that doesn't seem to be the fact.Sometimes parents need a little guidance too.I don't think that the nurse should be judgemental when presenting this information but should offer nutrition fact sheets to all parents so no one feels singled out.Unfortunately for some students the only check ups they get are when the school nurse does a quick visual dental check or a basic eye chart .test etc..The obvious isn't always so obvious.

Answer 2

Something has to be done about the horrendous diet that so many of the children have now. I also think that as well as the medicals we should go back to girls having a whole morning or afternoon for cookery lessons once a week at secondary school like I had. We were taught how to cook properly and to make basic but nutritious meals no stock cubs for the soup and a proper white sauce no packet mix. If you asked many of the young mothers how to make macaroni cheese they would reach for a box of instant sauce mix with all the chemicals. Sadly if it doesn't come out of a box, tin or packet then it wont be cooked so many dont know how to cook just heat up things.

Answer 3

Is this true?
Will this be in secondary schools too?
Is it just for overweight kids or underweight too?
I don't want my parents to know how much I weigh.
I'll have a look on the website tomorrow then.
But why would parents request it? When they can weigh their child themselves. And yes I'm sure it isn't hard to tell if your child is overweight.
To the person below me - i weigh 91 pounds and am 15... so a 7 year old weighing 1 pound less is shocking :O

Answer 4

growing up I was always weighted at school and my boys have always been as well. They also do it in the school I teach at.
They're weighed in Sept and June and both reports are sent to me a week later. I have the choice to sign off on them getting their sight, hearing and spines checked each year, which I don't b/c that's all done at the doctors office and takes time out of class.
Quite honestly, I don't see what the big deal is. They're getting weighed. No tests are involved. They don't have to take any clothing off. I get it in the mail, look at it for a second and then throw it away.
There are worse things they could do.
Best Wishes =]

Answer 5

The health department told me that my 3 year old is over weight and is high risk for obesity and diabetes which scared me to death. Hes not fat though, not at all. I think they are really over reacting on this child obesity thing and they only take a few factors into consideration and then label children "fat".

And as for children getting to much fast food, I do agree that kids are probably eating to much but I also believe that working parents are doing the best that they can. Its absolutely ridicule's that its cheaper to get one big and tasty from McDonald's than 2 pounds of bananas. but for the people who posted about it, have you ever seen what they serve at lunch at school? Enriched products and lots of cheese. Look at the break fests also that they serve? Donuts and biscuits and gravy and pancakes.

Answer 6

I think it might be for a simple wake up call on the fact that they need a change in their diet at home. Some children eat WAY too much fastfood due to busy lives and WOAH this has to STOP! They are getting an unhealthy start and it isn't fair to the kid.

Answer 7

I think this is because of the number of parents in denial about their children's weight. I know a 7 year old who weighs 90 pounds! She's in a size 14! She is the same height as my dd, and weighs 30 pounds more.

Her mom said she's "big boned" and she'll grow out of her "baby weight".

Answer 8

o my lord. how intrusive. i would of thought that before the child hits obesity you would be able to tell the child was overweight! i dont weigh my children, but i can tell by the clothes they wear and by looking at them that they're a normal healthy weight. i also know this because i dont feed them crap all the time. they eat decent food. i think it would be more preductive to spend money on decent school meals, and to bring the nit nurse back. i am sick and tired of having to go through my three childrens heads everyday because of the one or two parents who cant be bothered to clear their childrens heads. grrrrr.

Answer 9

I don't understand why that would be a problem - telling parents that they weighed their children & what the results were.

Answer 10

bit too p.c. to me the govnt are trying to change the way we breath next.