should schools send notices to parents that their kids are fat?

[pstokely]

no, the parents know that

[izzie]

1. Now that is interesting but think of this.

I was born in 34 so was in school in 30's 40's and 50's We used to have a chart up on what we ate. Every day we had to fill it in and note went home if we did not eat right just to let them know. I do not recall my folks ever being mad as they were crazy we ate right. My mother was ill and could not gain an oz. so we ate like we had bad hearts I guess. Bread so no potatoes. Fresh fruit from Boston each week, to eat dayly, and all that stuff. The food pyramid was always there. We were also put out side in good or bad weather to play and since I lived on coast of Maine it was usually bad winter weather.My children also slept in their carriage in winter out side each day. And to make this more crazy, my father always said we had it to easy.Kids must get out and play.

[Riptide]

6. My mom always said she did the same with us..

I was born in 1967, and we lived in Montreal at the time. My mom said she used to bundle us up and put us outside on the porch to sleep in the middle of winter.

Now, I admit, I can not imagine doing that with my children. But, my mom said we would sleep for hours! My brother jokes that we were not sleeping, we had hypothermia.

[demnan]

2. No - it just makes the kids self conscious

and that's hurtful. They tried to do something like that when I was in school. They sent me to an auditorium where all the kids were fat. That was supposed to help us? When I got back to class I asked the teacher, "Why did you do that?" He said he was sorry.

What they should emphasize is non-competitive sports for overweight people. I never liked sports because being slow and fat I was never picked for any team until the end. If exercise had been less of a popularity contest I might have enjoyed it more.

Kids who are fat are usually inactive, it's not the type of food they eat. All kids eat junk.

[Frederic Bastiat]

3. Umm not all kids eat junk

Where did you get that from???? :eyes:

[Blue_Chill]

4. Why non-competitive?

Why not just a fat kid league? Competition makes people push their limits and want to better themselves.

Remove the competition and you have a bunch of fat kids running the mile, which no one ever cares about enough to push themselves for. Basically everyone ends up walking it.

[Cocoa]

8. competition turns some people off to exercise

Exercise is extremely important to health, and lifelong habits, good or bad, can be formed in school.

So, a non-competitive alternative in school can be a huge benefit.

[goddess40]

12. We need to teach life sports/activites in schools

If a kid wants to take a walking course every semster in high school I say let them.
We need to revamp our phy ed in schools as it belittles those kids that need it most. Most gym teachers are former jocks and don't understand what the non-athletic kids are going through.

[Blue_Chill]

24. I disagree

most non-athletic kids fail to try at anything for fear of failing at it. The only people who fail or those that don't try. If a teacher sees someone cracking mean spirited jokes that child needs to be suspended, but I don't accept such things as an excuse to sleep walk thru a soccer match.

When I was in gym I hated those bastards that would ruin my fun by being on my team and not trying at all. I don't care about success but I do get pissed when I lose because someone is too self important that they don't try. That is a very important life lesson to learn "do not screw others because of your personal problems".

[LWolf]

48. Hmm...non athletic or non-competitive?

I was reasonably athletic all the way through high school. I was moderately competitive. I competed officially from horseback, and won my share of ribbons. I competed because I was told to in P.E.; basketball, soccer, softball, flag football. It was ok, but I wasn't doing it because I wanted to. I didn't hate it but didn't love it either. I competed for fun in "sandlot" (horse arena) co-ed football games; tackle with no equipment. There was some fun competition there; I was always a linegirl; not allowing the opposing line to get to my quarterback, or not allowing them to block me. The big motivation there was to sack the opposing QB, who was really cute.

I always tried, whether I was good at it or not, and I do like to win. But the older I get, the less competitive I am, and I didn't start out that competitive to begin with.

I don't think athleticism or athletic competition is or the lack there of is the source of obesity. Poor diet, genetic predisposition or other health issue, and a basic sedentary lifestyle, yes. There are plenty of non-sedentary activities that are not competitive and don't necessarily require "athleticism."

[alarimer]

46. yes

I think PE classes should be more about healthy activities. Teach them about weight training and aerobic activities, instead of making them play dodge ball or whatever. not every one can play basketball or baseball but almost anyone can exercise on a treadmill or do aerobics. Also teach them about healthy eating and what is really in those sodas and junk food, which should be banned from all schools in my opinion.

[LWolf]

49. Hear, hear!

Health isn't about sports. I'm not anti-sports, but we can all learn healthy habits, including diet and physical fitness, whether we are sports or competition minded, or not.

[slappypan]

9. competitive sports, bah

Competitive sports are not at all necessary to physical fitness. To some of us, they're just silly and we aren't interested. I have always been more interested in individual sports like bicycling, hiking, aerobic classes, etc. and I have never been fat. Some folks just want to feel morally superior and people who don't care about competitive sports like they have a character flaw and need to "better themselves." Hey all you fatties, you are welcome to come hiking with me anytime, I don't care what size somebody is and I don't need to look down on anybody in order to enjoy some good exercise.

[Blue_Chill]

23. I noticed those that are against competition

Either never learned how to win or how to lose. Your "I don't need to look down on anybody in order to enjoy some good exercise." shows that you fit into this theory. Competition is not about looking down or up at anyone. Those of us that did bother to compete learned long ago that you appreciate the effort not the outcome.

[Cocoa]

26. I think it's more about a personal preference

We're saying it's not for everyone, and that the people who don't care for competitive sports should be accomodated.

When in my senior year in H.S., we were given the option of co-ed gym, I went from dreading gym to absolutely loving it. Gym became the high point of my day, it was actually FUN. That's a good thing I think. I'm alternately grateful I got that one year, and angry I was cheated out of it the other three years.

[slappypan]

27. you're the one hung up on others needing to "better themselves"

I am fine with my own efforts, I don't need to constantly compare myself to others, at least not in something that really doesn't matter to me like sports. If you are training for the Olympics, great, go for it.

[Blue_Chill]

29. It doesn't matter

Is exactly the attitude you should not be teaching kids. It allows them to continue to opt out and hide from the world for fear of failure. Those that do try realise quickly that they earn respect for effort.

Kids should not be encouraged to feel bad about themselves and giving them excuses to do so helps no one.

[Cocoa]

30. but it doesn't have to be sports

For some kids, like me, the biggest benefit from sports is the fun and exercise. The success/failure aspect of it meant nothing.

[slappypan]

34. now team sports are equated to "the world"

Fitness, like so many things, is a lifelong habit, it comes from self-discipline, which comes from inside oneself. Some people find that from team sports, many, if not most of us, do not. Those activities just hold no interest for me, I find them silly. Kids need activities which will meet their needs for a lifetime. Math and reading are taught (at good schools anyway) in different ways to accomodate different learning styles, so should physical education.

[Chilly_Willy]

42. Interest...

Maybe that's what the school system should focus on in the cafeteria and at PE.

Most schools sell nasty fatty foods in the cafeteria and do not give options to the children in most schools to eat fresh fruits that the kids will enjoy. Why not have surveys on the fruit and foods your children actually will be healthy eating. Through highschool I either brought lunch or had 2 baskets of fries. When I was younger I was drinking chocolate milk and eating pizza everyday...how healthy is that? The PTA or someone at the schools should get together and realize that the kids need a real lunch and a snack like the rest of the world so they don't come home and eat the whole bag of potatoe chips, or nachos. What about bottled water free at lunch, start a good habit while they are young?

PE, the class everyone hated sweating in, yuck. Ok why not have PE the last class of the day or actually give kids enough time to shower at school(highschool)? Seriously! The focus on competition and different sports, it is good for people b/c we need to start learning how to cope with failure/success at a young age. The easiest place to learn about that is in school.

"Kids need activities which will meet their needs for a lifetime"

Yes, they sure do. So schools need to explain that finding a sport is a lifetime need. Whoever you are, you need to exercise throughout your life!!! And the best way to build your self confidence, make friends, and find the exercise you like to do is belonging to a team and experiencing it....Then where's the "fat kid"? He isn't fat anymore b/c he'd be eating well balanced and other kids will respect him, he won't be called the fat kid anymore.

[wickerwoman]

51. You're confusing boredom and fear.

Case in point- high school softball. What you learn from sitting in an outfield for sixty minutes while all the kids who give a shit scream at you for not catching the one ball that gets within twenty yards of you the entire game.
If they had offered kickboxing or tai chi in my high school I would be forty pounds lighter than I am today. You can be physically fit and confident without being competitive- it's just a matter of giving kids options that actually interest and engage them. In high school we were stuck with softball, square-dancing and badminton when I wanted fencing, archery and martial arts. It wasn't fear of competition that made me tune out of gym class- it was the stupid shit they wanted us to do.

[ForrestGump]

39. I got totally turned off competitive sports

My best 'sports' were essentially solo activities. I was into a lot of outdoor activities, as well. High school forever kileld my willingness to play as part of a team - I was violently and rudely shown that competition can provoke an attitude that winning is all, no matter what the cost.

There are far more ways to stay active than to subscribe to team sports; there are far more ways to learn to work as part of a team (not that I've ever done that too well) than team sports. Get out into the Great Outdoors, because it doesn't care what physical shape you are in and it's medicine in its own right.

[Muddleoftheroad]

5. No they don't

Schools are obligated to alert parents to health problems they discover. Obesity is a major one.

[flyingfish]

7. Obesity is a HUGE problem

Many parents do not even know that their kids are obese.
You know, the whole "baby fat" comment.

[Name removed]

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[Muddleoftheroad]

11. It's both

BTW, shouldn't your login be Catonsville9 for the historical perspective?

[Name removed]

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[Muddleoftheroad]

21. Fair enough

Now Arbutus1 would be the real joke.

(I had friends who lived in Catonsville for a time.)

[Name removed]

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[depakid]

13. The study suggests

that the health report card you are refering to may help parents deal with weight problems in their children. Moreover, families with overweight children were happy to receive the information and reported that they intended to do something about it. The concern was that many of the parents intended to use restrictive dieting, which apparently is not the best strategy for dealing with obesity in children.

As I recall, we used to get something similar to this when I was a kid in the 70's (along with a grade for PE). We also had this thing called "the Presidential Award for Physical Fitness," which we all (guys at least) considered a big deal. It was hard to get, and I was damn proud of mine.

Oddly enough, I don't remember any fat kids. Oh, there were pudgy ones, but not even like the kids you see today. I've often wondered why that is, because we ate plenty of garbage and parked our butts in front of the TV too. Then again, a lot of us walked or rode our bikes to school, even in the winter... and most all of the kids on the block played "organized" games together.

[Madrone]

36. the Presidential Award for Physical Fitness

Funny, I was just talking about this to my PT the other day.

I have 3 of them myself - the unfortunate thing being they all have RR's name on them.

Even as a non-politically aware child, I HATED Reagan.

[sybylla]

40. Hah, mine were signed by Nixon and Ford.

I remember feeling the same way about them, though.

[THUNDER HANDS]

15. only if

they injure someone playing leapfrog.

:)

[theboss]

16. Make 'em do a lap

I would always get a little chubby during the winter and then get really skinny during the summer. None of my friends were really heavy. But my dad's an elementary principal and I had to see him at his school last year. My Lord . . .the kids looked like Weebles.

[Diesle]

17. Yes

In fact, every school in America should have a program that addresses weight as a major health issue. Fatness is a FAT problem right now costing millions their health or their life. Not to mention the great burden it puts on productivity and insurance.


Diesle

[seventhson]

18. Definitely NOT the school's business - which is to educate kids.

However - educating ALL the children abotu health and diet is critical. HOWEVER, what the hell good is it if the schools have soda machines and junk food in the lunch room under a contract to a global food provider and there's NO PHYS ED classes. or only once a wekk or twice maybe.

Physical education, exercises , walking, and outdoors should be mandatory for at least one hour each school day.

But with the "Every Child Left Behind" act of Bush with his education deform, there is only now time to t4each our automatons standardized testing talent so thwey can be properly programmed when the camps open.

[Muddleoftheroad]

19. Health

Actually, and I believe legally, you are incorrect. If a school health worker discovers a child has an illness or other medical problem, they are required to notify the family. Obesity falls into that category.

[sybylla]

22. True, But...

The types of illnesses school health workers deal with by and large tend to require immediate action, ie. headache, lice, pink eye, physical injuries, suspected food allergies, contaigious childhood illnesses, etc.

Obesity isn't contagious, it isn't something directly caused by an event at the school. Obesity is a long-term problem that should be addressed with the child's pediatrician only, not by the school or the school's health staff - other than providing the child with an education in health and regular opportunities for exercise.

In my day, the schools here did regular eye and hearing exams (some still do eye exams), then reported the results to the parents if a problem was found. Now if the schools want to go into the business of giving every child in the school a physical health screening, performed by doctors, PAs or nurse practicioners, then I would go along with parental notification.

[MissouriTeacher]

25. I remember having a similar conversation...

with a former principal. Basically, we were asking him whether we could get rid of all the junk food that we sold in the cafeteria. There were a lot of kids who would eat chocolate donuts and cheetoes everyday for lunch.

He said he could do it, but wasn't willing to put up with the politics. He said it generates a lot of extra money for the food staff, and that the best solution would be for parents to somehow manage what their kids are eating instead.

Perhaps parents of over-weight kids could have them put on the "no junk food buy" list or something.

[sybylla]

33. What school doesn't have to deal with health concerns over it's offerings

in vending machines and in the lunch line? My kids school is the same. It just came up again at a board meeting on Monday. What makes me laugh about this is that what my kids are served in both places is often much healthier than what I had in school 25 years ago. We didn't have to go to vending machines, though. School organizations would sell donuts several mornings a week. There were always candy sales, and quite often the soda fountain was set up by a club who charged 20 cents a cup. Our meals were often horrible greasy or gravy covered things that parents would be appalled by today. And yet the incidence of obesity was much lower in high school kids then than it is today.

Seems to me, looking at this with an historical perspective, food available at the schools is only a small part of the problem.

The responsibility for a child's health rests with the parents, not the school district. When their sole purpose is to educate, it seems awful big-brotherish for them to be telling anyone that they need to do something about their obese children.

[Chilly_Willy]

44. Vending machines

The unlimited supply of candy! That is just the worst to do to kids, like the saying "put a kid in a candy store". Does each child know when to stop eating? B/c it's hard enough for me at work with free candy not to eat a few bags of M&M's a day which is not healthy. Candy should be a treat, but no one should eat packages and packages a day just because they are hungry.

It's just my opinion, but when I was a child most food I was feed at home was cooked or fruits & vegtables, it was not straight from a box. Now I am an adult I always try to skip corners and precooked food prepacked food, hamburger helper, anything to cook it faster, but it never quit tastes like something I cook from a receipe or fresh fruit from the store.

[sybylla]

47. It isn't an unlimited supply of candy

It's limited by the amount of money in kids pockets. Perhaps that is more the root of the problem than the junk itself. Many kids don't seem to understand the concept of limits.

Back in my day....

[Chilly_Willy]

43. More rules

I hope that doesn't happen. Schools need to realize that there are other foods out there that are healthy and children like them. Donuts is not a healthy option for lunch, why spend time taping up the food pyramid posters everywhere in school if the school doesn't want to give your child the option of healthy foods. There is way too much sugar in a donut. And soda machines are not good either unless there's an option of picking a fruit drink or water.

[Muddleoftheroad]

31. Not advocating exams

But if a child is obviously overweight, just as if a child is obviously nearsighted and not wearing glasses, it is their obligation to let the parents know.

[DemOverseas]

28. Schools

should concentrate on the *job* they are supposed to do. When they get good at that, ask the question again!

[MrBenchley]

32. Sounds like a Rodney Dangerfield routine

"My mom sent back a note that said 'Ugly, too.'

I'm tellin' you I get no respect....my dad sent Grandma extra shots of the kid whose picture came with his new wallet..."

[BiggJawn]

35. Hmmm...maybe I should go visit my local school...

Sit the kids down, then spread out all the fucking pills I have to eat everyday, then spread out 127 dollar bills and tell them "this is what my insurance doesn't pay for every month." then let 'em stick their own fingers with lances and ask "How'd you like to have to do THAT twice a day for the rest of your lives?" Give their arms a real good squeeze with the BP cuff...

Then shake my gut at 'em and tell them "if you think this is fun, just keep scarfing down that crap and stay welded to your couch watching 'Reality TV'. you'll get here, then you'll find out it doesn't come off as easily as it went on"

But some PC asshole would probably rule that some younger version of me was made to "feel bad about his/her/itself" after such a visit....

[ScreamingMeemie]

37. Why do we as nation look to our schools to raise our children?

While I appreciate their backup, I am my child's parent. If I am any good at it, I will notice there is a problem. And yes, of course, I know some parents could give two wits, but I think if any action were taken, it should be case by case.

[tom_paine]

38. No.

n/t

[TLM]

41. Yes! No question at all.

And Phys Ed should be a real exercise program that is mandatory.


Our phys ed programs are such crap... just some kids walking in a circle around the track or some kids throwing dodge balls at each other. It is crap.

If we had our kids doing a real exercise program for 30 minutes, 3 times a week, we would see these kids doing 100 times better.

Also we need to get junk food the hell out of our schools. There is no need to have vending machines and taco bells in the cafeteria. Get them out, or at least mandate that they must meet strict nutritional guidelines.

If we teach our kids how to exercise correctly, and show them that you can do it easily in just a few minutes, that will establish habits they’ll keep for life. If we blow off exercise and cram them full of junk food, that will also establish patterns that they will keep for life… until they die from heart disease at age 42.

Not only should we let parents know... we should set up a special ed type phys ed program to help the kids who need extra help. We have programs in schools to help kids with learning problems, behavioral problems, even speaking problems (I got help from a school speech therapist for my lisp) but when it comes to kids who have weight problems... we have to pretend that's not a problem because it might upset their self-esteem.

I think if you want to help these kids' self esteem, teach them how to lose the weight and be healthy, don't pretend there's no problem.

[jiacinto]

45. A tricky issue

If the children are obese the schools should tell them so that they can get help for their children if they are "medically" fat. If they just happen to be overweight that's another matter.

[Kazak]

50. They send home notices everyday...

:eyes:

[Lady President]

52. Nope

This is one of those things that gets my blood boiling. I come from a long line of educators and I firmly believe the school should teach, not try to become medical professionals. Having a child hop on a scale is not enough to make a medical diagnosis of obesity. Visually, I was skinny as a rail as a child, but I bet I would have received a cautionary letter from the school. From very early in childhood I was involved in competitive athetics. Yes, the obsessive programs that people alway site as horrible for children, but I loved it and learn so much about life because of it. Anyway, I had a much higher percentage of muscle compared to most children and because muscles weighs more than fat, I bet would have been on the bubble to receive the letter. I think it would be more sensible to require all children to receive a physical at the start of every school year (of course, with accommodations for kids without insurance). It seems strange that athletes always need a physical every year, but the less healthy children do not. Let a doctor determine the health of child and make any suggestions needed for improvement.

Also, the school system I attended required PE several times a week from K-12, had a huge intermural sports program, and taught classes on things like bowling, aerobics, and mountain climbing so even kids who didn't enjoy traditional sports had options.

Obviously, we have to get the snack machine out of schools. Elementary kids shouldn't have to make good food choices with a hundred candy bars staring at them.