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And then what?

Soylent Green for the cafeteria food! 🙂

[…] Read it. […]

Wouldn’t you think the child’s pediatrician has already broached this subject with the parents?

How many of these children eat the government lunches at the government schools?

Ok, there are a few issues with this editorial piece. It doesn’t say what the consequences are after getting the warning – “warning” is usually a first step in discipline processes. Also, what are schools doing to make their breakfast, lunches and snacks more healthy? Are they getting rid of vending machines which sell Cokes and candy bars? What about the teachers and staff? Will they also go through the humiliation of being weighed every week and given warnings if they are overweight – or if their weight starts to increase?

This reminds me of airlines’ old programs of weighing their flight attendants and firing them if they get above a certain number.

Cut the bogus “kids who fail to conform to desired weight ranges” nonsense. As someone who is actually in Arizona right now, I can tell you that a tremendous percentage of Latino and Native American kids are overweight to the point that they are developing serious illnesses at a young age. It isn’t healthy and the problem is that since it’s so common, people have lost sight of what’s considered “normal.” There is no disciplinary component to the weight (a proverbial “lose weight or else” threat). Instead, it’s just a notification that something’s going on and it should change. You know, kinda like how bad grades on report cards work.

Can I send back a “Your Administrator is too stupid” notice?

Do you win a Michelle Obama salad bar if you are above 50%?

Too bad they are using BMI (junk science) that has already been discredited by the Mayo Clinic

Instead, it’s just a notification that something’s going on and it should change. You know, kinda like how bad grades on report cards work.

I don’t think the analogy is a good one at all, Jeff. The report card shows how a kid is doing in another environment that is not seen constantly by his parent. One cannot make the same claim for an overweight child. The child is seen by their parents every day.

I can see all sorts of issues with this. First is that the kids that receive notices will be known and kids being kids, will start ti attack and ridicule the heavier children. Nothing like a schoolboard setting a kid up for ridicule, bullying and harassment.

Secondly is that I am having problems with the idea of a private medical record being given to the school district so they can send out the notices. So much for privacy.

Too bad they are using BMI (junk science) that has already been discredited by the Mayo Clinic

Ian
can you elaborate on a source claiming BMI as junk. Mayo Clinic seems quite happy to use BMI on its web pages.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/bmi-calculator/NU00597
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/childhood-obesity/DS00698/DSECTION=tests-and-diagnosis

“Overweight, marginally overweight, or underweight”, huh?
Let’s see, what would be considered any of the above?
One can also say goodbye to football linemen, gymnasts, and maybe basketball players and swimmers.
And, keep in mind that the goalposts for such as what determines diabetes and “normal” weight have been moved several times in the last 20-30 years.

That’s very nice of the school to send home those types of notes when they’re SO well-known for serving these same children low-fat, low-calorie meals that are packed with fresh fruits and vegetables.

Lets weigh the teachers and administrators of this delightful school district and make this public information.

How many of those living off the fat of the land are calorically challenged, at taxpayer expense?

[…] the same vein, Overlawyered recently reported that Flagstaff, Arizona schools will begin to weigh all students and send home warning notes to the […]