The New Report Card

My children brought home their report cards last week. All made the honor roll. All were outstanding. But my daughter had a defeated look on her face as she handed hers over. She had several high 90's and no grade lower than a 90. So, what was the issue?

Tucked inside her report card, very attainable to her, was her "BMI report" stating that she was "overweight."

That's outrageous on many levels.

To begin, there are many false positives and false negatives with BMI measurement. The BMI is the currently acceptable mode of determining if a child is growing normally. You can plug your height and weight into online BMI models easily. However, even though it is a widely acceptable method, it is only a rough estimate and is influenced by many other factors including muscle mass and a child's stage of puberty.

In females, girls experiencing puberty lay down fat pads and grow "out" before they grow "up." This stage of puberty is very common for the 6th grade girls who are carrying home their own "BMI report cards" labeling them as "overweight." The girls are also at a very vulnerable and impressionable stage that could easily influence them to create a negative self-body image.

Disturbed thought disorders such as anorexia occur most frequently in adolescents going through puberty and the rates of anorexia are only increasing. With this in mind, wouldn't one want to guard defensively any negative influence exerted on the young impressionable minds of prepubescent girls?

One has to question the overall goals of the school in doing this. Is it to bring awareness to parents about the obesity epidemic in our country. If this were the case, wouldn't it make sense that along with the "BMI Report Card" the parents would also receive recommendations such as following up with their family doctor or tips on providing adequate exercise and sound nutrition.

And, if the schools were so concerned about the obesity epidemic, to what extent are they willing to back up their deep concern by implementing healthy changes in the school environment? Does a 40 minute gym class once every 6 school days count as adequate exercise? Are school lunches consisting of cheeseburgers, fries and milk cutting it as sound nutrition?

I take personal responsibility for the health and well-being of my children. They are involved in activities, their TV time is limited, and we eat responsibly. If the school system has concerns about my children's health, let them voice it to me, personally or by mail at least. Do not put this outrageous claim inside my honor roll daughters report card, making her feel inadequate.