Originally published September 8 2005
Pennsylvania school officials say some parents are not helping in the fight against childhood obesity
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
A study of school records in Pennsylvania found that 35 percent of children were obese, overweight or at risk of becoming overweight, and The Daily Times reports that school officials feel parents are not helping the situation by pretending the situation isn't real or getting offended when it is brought up.
Pennsylvania Health Department spokesman Richard McGarvey said a 2003 study of school records showed about 35 percent of children overweight or at risk of being overweight.
Even more startling is the increasing number of young people who have conditions precipitated or aggravated by obesity, such as type II diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and heart disease, said Judie Grace, president-elect of the Delaware County School Nurses Association.
For that reason the state health department now requires school nurses to determine a body mass index or BMI for kindergarten through fourth-grade students and report the results to parents.
Those between the 85th and 95th percentile are considered at risk for being overweight and those in less than the fifth percentile are considered underweight.
McGarvey said the BMI is not meant as an accurate measurement of body fat, but as a general indicator that, hopefully, will motivate parents to consult with physicians about their children's nutrition and fitness.
One mother who received the letter called Grace and screamed that her child's weight was a matter between her and her child's physician.
Still, other parents, who themselves may be overweight, may not feel their children have weight problems, noted Barbara Spinosa who is a nurse in the Southeast Delco School District.
Grace said last year's BMI project, which involved sending home letters to more than 500 households, consumed 12 to 15 hours that could have been time spent in the classroom doing health education.
State health officials are hoping to assist school nurses in implementing BMI reporting and in educating the community about proper diet and exercise through the Pennsylvania Advocates for Nutrition and Activity, a non-profit coalition that is funded in part by a $500,000 federal grant.
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