Nearly every comment I have seen regarding this idea says it is a terrible plan. The concerns, mainly from parents, run from damaging the self-esteem of our children to giving the government too much control over our lives. Many are also worried about things like eating disorders and teachers playing the role of doctors. The Body Mass Index as a legitimate indicator of health is certainly in question too.
While I agree that grading a child's BMI is an awful idea, my objection is not for the same reason as most. My problem is this: when a school grades a child on his or her BMI, they are grading a student based on something that is almost completely out of that child's control.
At least until high school, kids don't make their own money. Kids don't buy their own food. Kids don't drive themselves to McDonald's. Kids don't fill their own plates. Kids don't choose their own mealtimes or regulate their own snacks. Kids don't pick the school lunch menu. Parents do. Or grandparents do. Or daycare does.
The amount of exercise an elementary school child gets is slightly less dependent on parents, but not much. Kids can't move to a safer neighborhood on their own. Kids can't get out of a grass-less community alone. Kids can't sign up for t-ball or soccer by themselves. Kids can't make it light outside after they get home from the babysitter. And, even if they could, periodic exercise is hardly enough to overcome regular drive-thru and microwave meals. (I won't even get into the numerous genetic factors we could take into consideration.)
Grading a child based on BMI is, in effect, akin to grading them based on the clothes they wear, the backpack they use, or the car they're driven to school in. There is little that a seven or eight year old can do to change either without mom's or dad's immediate involvement. In reality, a "weight grade" doesn't measure the students' progress, it measures the parents' progress (or lack thereof).
It seems to me that the key to solving America's childhood obesity problem doesn't lie in our schools. It lies in solving America's adult obesity problem first.
Anonymous said...As a teacher, I think this is one of the most ridiculous ideas ever. I am not a nutritionist, doctor or psychologist (all of which are important in dealing with ongoing weight issues). I am an educator! I am an expert in teaching children to learn to read, write, problem solve, etc... I am so tired of our government pushing every social issue onto the schools and teachers to fix. Grading based on BMI is one of the worst ideas. Talk about encouraging poor self-esteem, bullying, eating disorders and teasing.
ReplyDeleteLet's get back to teaching the academics and providing our children with the knowledge and skills to become problem-solving, self sufficient educated adults.
Schools/teachers are being pressured to decrease recess and physical education times when our kids need it the most.
Well said, Tim! This is not a problem schools should be handling. If anyone should be concerned about childhood obesity, it's the parents. Let them take responsibility for what they feed their kids and the activities their kids are involved in.
ReplyDeleteWhy doesn't each teacher grade the school lunchroom.
ReplyDeleteWhen I walk the halls of our High School there are soda machines. In the athletic wing of all places. They tell me there is only diet in it. What a relief!
In the nurses office there are tons of pamphlets on new sports drinks (I think Poweraid). Seriously? They are horrible for you unless you are an athlete. So unless you are Michael Phelps Michael Jordan or someone who works their body that much physically- you need WATER- not Gatorade or poweraid.
Our younger children go to different Montessori Schools in the area. They are not allowed to bring cookies/candy/and unhealthy snacks to school. Juice is frowned upon and water is provided in plenty through the day. I would certainly get a note home or be spoken to by the teacher when we pick up if there was an offending food. I would get a phone call for McDonald's.
One Montessori school makes them eat their proteins first. When they unwrap their lunches they must identify their protein.
Teaching kids about food is as important as reading and math.
Get the offending food out of the schools!