school says granddaughter too fat
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Well this is an interesting case of shoot the messenger...0
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How could she be 4 years old and weigh a ton while being a normal /medium size ? Doesnt sound right, either she is future body building wonder, or she has alimantium bones (wolverine) - when I was 4 I weighed like, nothing , ... this needs some attention forget what the school said, also , those who are hating on the school for weighing children , wtf at least they are showing concern for the youth ... there is no point in scolding teachers who are overweight as they are old and do not determine the future, where as the youth truly can make a difference if put on a correct path.0
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My 4 year old granddaughter came home from school with a letter from the school nurse saying she was" obese". She wanted a home visit to discuss proper nutriction and calorie control.
This child weighs 44 pounds is 3 foot tall.
My 2 1/2 year old weighs 40lbs and is 3'2 and he's perfectly healthy. Ignore it.
According to whom? 97th percentile, and unless there are special circumstances, these measurements calculate as obese.0 -
I don't know anything about weight of children.. but I know from working in a nursery some kids are 'chunkier' than others, you would never think of them as 'fat' and I'm certain parents would never imagine them to be 'overweight'.. but they do carry a little extra and a little can make a big difference when you're talking in such small numbers. These children can be just as physically active and healthy and weight can vary for a number of reasons.. it's still early days! When they settle at school and have routine meals and join clubs and obviously as they grow and develop, things change!
Either way, I don't think the weight matters so much at this stage, as long as your family are encouraging healthy eating and activity, i'm sure she'll grow up healthy (that's the most important thing; not the number on the scale)
I'm not sure how I feel about the involvement of the school, it may be important to flag up these issues as I do know some families who live off of frozen dinners, takeaways and sweets and their ideas of entertaining children involve hours in front of the TV.. but generally those families don't want to listen to someone telling them about 'healthy living', old habits die hard!0 -
I think it's a good idea to have her checked out by the pediatrician and find out if there are medical concerns because of her weight. However, my son was always at the 95th percentile for both weight and height, and the doctor was never concerned ... he is now a very healthy 18 year old who is 6'5"+ and weighs 210 ... and is considered healthy and fine. My daughter was always in the 95th percentile for weight, but until she was about three years old, in the 25th percentile for height. She is now 19, 145 and 5'11" ... again, healthy weight and fine (she does have a thyroid issue, however, and once it was corrected, she had a serious growth spurt).
Sometimes, the numbers aren't accurate, but only your doctor can make that determination. Just be glad that the school nurse brought it to your attention, and get it checked out.
By the way, I'm 44 years old, and I remember being weighed in elementary school. It was just something they did, and no one ever had a problem with it. Then again, looking at our class photos from back then, there was only maybe one or two kids in a class of almost 20 that would have been considered "big" ...
Edit: I got that wrong on my daughter. She would KILL me for that. LOL She was always in the 95th percentile for HEIGHT and then 25th percentile for WEIGHT. Ugh ... that makes her look like a short fat kid, but she was always a tall, leggy kid who looked half a step from starvation. :-S0 -
Since Mass passed this I have not heard about it being implemented. This is a load of crap and the BMI scale is horribly inaccurate. I expect to get a similar one for my daughter if they are rolling this out. According to this BMI calculator, she is in the 97th percentile and Obese. Let me get a letter from the school calling my daughter obese and see how quick I jump down their throat. My daughter is taller than all the other kids and by no means even chubby. I would say send some nasty mail to the Deval Patrick to tell them to butt out.
http://apps.nccd.cdc.gov/dnpabmi/Calculator.aspx
Why in the world would you jump down their throats? Childhood obesity is becoming an epidemic in North America. Yes, the BMI scale can be horribly inaccurate but it can also be an indicator that something may be wrong. For some families, such a note might be the wake-up call they need.
If your daughter is not obese and her doctor is happy with her weight, etc, then it's not an issue for you. In that case, say thanks for the note, but our pediatrician/family doctor is on top of things and we're happy with our daughter's development.
Please don't shoot down a program that's aimed at helping when estimates are that this generation of kids will be the first to have a shorter lifespan than their parents.
Agreed! It's so hard to be objective with people we love and the school and administration are trying to help. Why dissuade them from it? Check your grand-daughter out with her doctor and if he's happy go with it. If he's not, you have a problem and should thank you the school for letting you know about it before it gets out of hand. Perhaps your grand-daughter doesn't eat well at school, or doesn't participate in gym or run around at recess? If the school notices behaviour like that and recoginzed her high weight and is trying to address it before it becomes an issue you have a fantastic program there and should be sending them flowers!! This is a much better alternative than your grand-daughter being completely ignored.0 -
I was wondering about my kids. I just put all their info in the calculator and they all fell in the healthy range. They were ranged from 15.9 to 20.2 BMI.
I think it is definately something to keep an eye on. We need to start our kids off on the right track. My daughter had a friend that weighed 150 pounds at 8 years old. She was around 4 and half feet tall. Her parents had no problem with her weight although she was extremely overweight and winded walking up a flight of stairs. I have had thyroid tests, bloodwork, ect done on my kids by their docs because they are small. I knew there was nothing wrong with them other than that their parents are pygmies! All those tests said what I knew..they are healthy. But I had the tests done just to be sure. I don't want something to be wron g that could be fixed. Knowledge is power.0 -
i hate that schools weigh children!!!!! for one thing i think it is not the schools place to tell parents how tocare for there kids and also, it is cruel to the children, who probably worry a lot about being weighed. They just strted to bring this in during my later school years, i paid my brother to go for me, or just plain refused, but i younger child couldnt probably easily do that. If I have kids, I will tell the school i am NOT having my child weighed and will even make sure they arent in school that day if need be. I just so strongly disagree eith it. You should just manage your childs health in the best way you can,in the family and with a dr, as you always have done, and ignore the schools attempt to butt in. I hope your poor daughter is OK xxxx0
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It is our duty as parents to make sure of what goes into our children's mouths. My kids have always been small. I have obesity on both sides of my family. I refuse to pass my issues on to my kids, this I have been very aware of since their birth. I do not think it is unreasonable for the school to check children especially when the parents may be in denial. There could be medical issues that should be dealt with or there could be an issue you may not be willing to be open to. Just think of your child and what is in their best interest. If you are defensive because there is an issue, you owe it to your child to help them anyway possible. If the school is off base then tell them so but it is hard to give advice when we don't know the child.0
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I don't get everyone saying the school are "being rude" or to "just ignore it". Would you ignore it if a medical professional told you that your BMI probably wasn't the best? Would you not go get a second opinion? Why is this any different?
The school doing weight checks is not a horrible idea. They give vaccines, do hearing/eye/lice tests - this is just another part of health. A much needed part of health.
At the very least I would take my child to see the family doctor with this concern at the forefront in order to get another perspective on it. Not just dismiss it entirely - would you do that if the school nurse told you to go and see an eye doctor, just because your child had good vision before?0 -
i hate that schools weigh children!!!!! for one thing i think it is not the schools place to tell parents how tocare for there kids and also, it is cruel to the children, who probably worry a lot about being weighed. They just strted to bring this in during my later school years, i paid my brother to go for me, or just plain refused, but i younger child couldnt probably easily do that. If I have kids, I will tell the school i am NOT having my child weighed and will even make sure they arent in school that day if need be. I just so strongly disagree eith it. You should just manage your childs health in the best way you can,in the family and with a dr, as you always have done, and ignore the schools attempt to butt in. I hope your poor daughter is OK xxxx
This is why there is such a problem with obeseity nowadays.
Managing someone's health the 'best way you can' doesn't always equate to the 'best way'. If a family thinks that processed, high sugar, low nutrient food is good because it has low calories, that doesn't mean it is best.
Doctors don't always pick up on such issues.0 -
ugh... idk what to even say tbh.... when did schools tell parents how to raise their kids?..0
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Take her to her pediatrician. If the Dr. agrees with the school that she is indeed obese then you should worry and do something about it. If not problem solved.
Children being obese is a serious situation and should be treated as such. You shouldn't ignore it just because you don't agree. If you think she is fine, take her to the Dr. get a note to prove that to the school. That will stop the whole thing, but ignoring it won't work. If you ignore it the school can assume that you are ignoring concern for her health and can report you; that is their right and part of their job. They are mandated to do so. Even though it might strike you as rude or invasive, they are trying to help.0 -
I really don't "get" the outrage. Would you be offended if you got a letter that your child might have a vision problem? Or dental? Why is weight so taboo??? She's 4, she's not being humiliated in any way. Why not just take her to the dr. for a second opinion and be done with it? Now you at least know to keep and eye on a potential problem.0
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People need to be less quick to take offense. Even if the system isn't perfect and some kids will be put in the obese category mistakenly, better have a system that is over-sensitive than one that lets kids who need help slip through the cracks.0
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I really don't "get" the outrage. Would you be offended if you got a letter that your child might have a vision problem? Or dental? Why is weight so taboo??? She's 4, she's not being humiliated in any way. Why not just take her to the dr. for a second opinion and be done with it? Now you at least know to keep and eye on a potential problem.
shes 4. But she still knows everything thats going on. Most girls who get called fat at a young age will always have it in the back of their head. I know i did.. and Thats how my eating disorder started. Idk i guess i wasnt as strong. I still think adults needs to watch what they say/do to kids.. it sticks with them forever.0 -
A disgrace, it's no wonder that cases of eating disorders are rising if children are being taught to think that they are 'obese' or 'fat' at such a young age.0
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A disgrace, it's no wonder that cases of eating disorders are rising if children are being taught to think that they are 'obese' or 'fat' at such a young age.
ty cant agree more. ^^0 -
A disgrace, it's no wonder that cases of eating disorders are rising if children are being taught to think that they are 'obese' or 'fat' at such a young age.
This is not how eating disorders are caused.0 -
I really don't "get" the outrage. Would you be offended if you got a letter that your child might have a vision problem? Or dental? Why is weight so taboo??? She's 4, she's not being humiliated in any way. Why not just take her to the dr. for a second opinion and be done with it? Now you at least know to keep and eye on a potential problem.
shes 4. But she still knows everything thats going on. Most girls who get called fat at a young age will always have it in the back of their head. I know i did.. and Thats how my eating disorder started. Idk i guess i wasnt as strong. I still think adults needs to watch what they say/do to kids.. it sticks with them forever.
How do we know they said anything to the kid? If they just sent a note home(and chances are either the note was sealed or the child can't read or both) seems like the only way she'd find out is if family told her. Even if she read the word obese, she isn't going to equate that with fat.0 -
A disgrace, it's no wonder that cases of eating disorders are rising if children are being taught to think that they are 'obese' or 'fat' at such a young age.
This is not how eating disorders are caused.
Of course that's not how they're caused, I didn't say that. What I meant was that ever more focus is being put on body image and personal appearance. If a child is labeled as 'obese' that's something they're going to remember. They feel different, as if they aren't normal and that their body should be changed to fit with society's view of what is acceptable.0 -
I really don't "get" the outrage. Would you be offended if you got a letter that your child might have a vision problem? Or dental? Why is weight so taboo??? She's 4, she's not being humiliated in any way. Why not just take her to the dr. for a second opinion and be done with it? Now you at least know to keep and eye on a potential problem.
shes 4. But she still knows everything thats going on. Most girls who get called fat at a young age will always have it in the back of their head. I know i did.. and Thats how my eating disorder started. Idk i guess i wasnt as strong. I still think adults needs to watch what they say/do to kids.. it sticks with them forever.
How do we know they said anything to the kid? If they just sent a note home(and chances are either the note was sealed or the child can't read or both) seems like the only way she'd find out is if family told her. Even if she read the word obese, she isn't going to equate that with fat.
It goes both ways QT. how do we know they didn't? Kids are alot smarter then they look. And adults are just as bad as kids.. they could have been talking in the office, saying she is over weight and to send a note home.. Idk .. we can agree to disagree i guess. but i can also see where you are coming from as well.0 -
Why are they weighing the kids at school? That alone seems odd. Ultimately, take her to her doctor and let the school know that you have it handled. In the future I would decline any such medical examinations of this nature and deal directly with your own doctor.0
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Typically these types of letters are not handed to the kid with the message "Hey, you're fat." That's not how it works. These letters usually go home enclosed in an envelope for the parents to read. The letters do not call kids names. Most kids (like the 4 year old) do not know what obese means. It's not in their vocabulary yet. Now, if their parent sits them down and says, "Honey, I got a letter from the school today saying you're obese, which means your fat", that's a different story. Once that letter goes home it's up to the parents to decide how to handle in. In no way (if it's done correctly) do schools send letters home calling children names. I don't thin a lot of you have ever received one of these letters and you're interpreting it wrong. Especially since the OP says the school said her GD is too fat...that is absolutely not how it goes.0
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Except children are obese and fat at such young ages....
Parents (not the OP) are failing their children in so many ways when they set them up to be overweight for their lives and to struggle with diseases, all because they didn't want someone telling them their kid was fat.
My brother has so many health issues that would be better if my mom cooked healthier from an earlier age. I am only now losing weight, and even though I was never obese my brother was for years.
I think all the outrage is over the fact that people are being showed a mirror to their obvious failures. A child cannot be faulted for being obese or overweight, but their parents certainly should be. People can bury their heads in the sand and say their kids aren't obese when the fact of the matter is that most of those kids are obese.
So a school sending a letter saying that you should take a look at your kid is suddenly offensive. It's a guilty conscience. If it wasn't people would talk to their kids' pediatrician and be done with it. No need for self righteous anger and rudeness.0 -
Why are they weighing the kids at school? That alone seems odd. Ultimately, take her to her doctor and let the school know that you have it handled. In the future I would decline any such medical examinations of this nature and deal directly with your own doctor.
I got weighed every year by my school, just like at the end of each year we had to pass a physical fitness test in PE, and I think not being able to do chin ups or touch your toes or climb a rope in front of everyone is alot more humiliating than being weighed where only the gym teacher and you can see.
All the schools in my parish do this(southern Louisiana).0 -
Typically these types of letters are not handed to the kid with the message "Hey, you're fat." That's not how it works. These letters usually go home enclosed in an envelope for the parents to read. The letters do not call kids names. Most kids (like the 4 year old) do not know what obese means. It's not in their vocabulary yet. Now, if their parent sits them down and says, "Honey, I got a letter from the school today saying you're obese, which means your fat", that's a different story. Once that letter goes home it's up to the parents to decide how to handle in. In no way (if it's done correctly) do schools send letters home calling children names. I don't thin a lot of you have ever received one of these letters and you're interpreting it wrong. Especially since the OP says the school said her GD is too fat...that is absolutely not how it goes.
Exactly.0 -
Why are they weighing the kids at school? That alone seems odd. Ultimately, take her to her doctor and let the school know that you have it handled. In the future I would decline any such medical examinations of this nature and deal directly with your own doctor.
I got weighed every year by my school, just like at the end of each year we had to pass a physical fitness test in PE, and I think not being able to do chin ups or touch your toes or climb a rope in front of everyone is alot more humiliating than being weighed where only the gym teacher and you can see.
All the schools in my parish do this(southern Louisiana).
I agree with you on the chin ups and stuff. I wish they would have the rest of the class doing another activity and pull kids over one-by-one to do that. I hated doing that stuff in front of others...especially in middle school.0 -
I just don't get it, why is everyone so much more obsessed with a number on the scale and a chart.. than a balanced diet and active lifestyle?
Does is matter about the number? Really? I understand from a schooling perspective, if that's the policy so be it and it's nice to have a reference when discussing 'issues' with parents of children in their care, rather than calling a kid 'fat' and risking the backlash from upset parents.. but is it really a good idea to weigh children regularly.. it sounds like it may spur obsessive behaviours and encourage eating disorders and self-esteem issues.. which can lead to polar opposite consequences, neither being healthy.
And does anyone here know enough about child dev to make such judgemental statements.. other than a chart they saw online?
I'm not saying obesity isn't an issue and I totally get on board with getting on top of weight issues before they spiral out of control, especially for the child's sake. but really.. is an outside body keeping tabs on weight really going to help matters when it's at the sole discretion of the family what they feed their child and the activities they pursue?
Just throw out the scales, buy some fresh food, turn off the TV and get outside!0 -
My daughter's school sent home a note with concern about a rash on her face, that I didn't think was that big of a deal and i would be able to manage it at home, and the Nurse even called me next day and TOLD me she should go to her doctor ASAP. Told me to make an appointment to get her to the doctor like the next day when I was talking about doing it a week out. You know what, I did, and let's just it was way more serious than I had thought.
That damn nanny state! :ohwell:
And when I was in school we got checked for headline, our back was checked any curvatures, we had ear, eye, and dental screenings.
Always telling people to butt out but let some lawyer figure out a way that you can sue a school because they sat on information that your child had a weight problem. $$$$0
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