picture of 4 yr old of what the school calls "Obese"
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I send my child to school for reading, math, English, science, social studies.....SCHOOL! They shouldn't even be weighing our children.
it seems to be really trendy right now to quote someone then simply put 'this' underneath to show how much you agree... in the spirit of being trendy...
THIS^^^^0 -
I know you want us all to say she is perfect and healthy and the school is out of line.
Your adorable granddaughter is in the 95% for weight and around the 35th percentile for height.
Of course she's not sloppy fat - she is not morbidly obese and looks healthy and active. Most adults in the obese range aren't sloppy fat either - they look pretty good, just a little big.
But most kids her age are much slimmer than your granddaughter. In fact, I bet they are at least 1/3 thinner than her. She's sweet adorable and healthy but in the 95% for BMI for kids her age. Healthy eating will only be good for her.
Is she's already eating healthy, that's great. If she's not, maybe small changes will make a difference. SHE DOESN'T HAVE TO KNOW. Her parents do.0 -
At our school we had to sign a waiver if we DID NOT want our kids to have dental treatment on some nasty dentist bus, are you kidding me?! I looked up the dentist and he had lots of negative reviews and they send this joker to school to treat kids without their parents present? The world has gone insane.
Sadly, there are a lot of parents out there who do not invest in their children's health. The little ones who really need the free dental care are less likely to have parents who would actually take the time to sign them up for it. This is why waivers are sent so that you can opt out, rather than the other way around. I'm glad these children can get the help that they need, even if it may not be up to your standards.
They are going to get the mercury amalgam because it's cheap too, by a dentist with poor reviews without their parents present. Sad. Then go back the next day for "free" breakfast at school and get a double pack of pop tarts with almost 40 grams of sugar, sigh.0 -
Interesting. You and I must follow very different stories then. But perhaps as someone who works in education, I have a slightly different perspective?
I don't know what kind of reactionary rubbish you've been reading, but this is simply not what schools do. Period. They do not have the money, resources, or mandate to interfere in students' lives. Furthermore, most child protection agencies are far too overloaded to deal with matters as trivial as dirty dishes in the sink. Particularly since most have been utterly gutted of funding in recent years.
You've never worked in education have you? The hands of most school officials are so tied that they can barely offer kleenex to a student with a cold for fear of litigation. Again, foremost is the issue of the child's health and well being. Which is why, if there's any sort of a question about her health, I would seek a second opinion. Just as my mother took me to the eye doctor in the fourth grade when a routine exam at school indicated that I might need glasses.
A lawyer?? That's crazy talk. It's one thing to disagree with a professional's OPINION, but quite another to seek legal action. Good lord.They sent home a note saying she was" obese" and they wanted a home visit (not my home, her moms home) to disscuss nutrition to control her weight.
Your granddaughter is beautiful. From the picture, she looks very healthy. The school has no business doing any home visit. If it were me, I'd be finding a lawyer.
Instead of a lawyer, I'd spend the money on a visit to a qualified dietician. If there really is an issue with the child's health, it's better to address it sooner rather than later.
It's not a matter of "legal action," but a matter of protecting your family from *THEIR* actions. Seeking a lawyer would provide me with an opportunity to fully understand and exercise my rights as a parent. Lest we forget, lawyers also exist to provide counsel, not just to "act" in court.
You are speaking about actions taken in school. Once they visit the home, the rules change. Something as simple as a dirty dish in the sink can be an excuse to make a phone call and remove the child from the home. The child would then be "touched" and "questioned" by someone with a badge and someone with a clipboard.
ETA: I'll bet that the school didn't offer to visit your home over the eye exam.
And no, my eye exam was never an issue. My mother was responsible enough to take me to the eye doctor.
Well, it's called the news. You should check it out sometime. BBC and PBS are my typical go-to channels for news on television and both Google and Yahoo are my favorites for new aggregators.
That's certainly possible.0 -
Tell her she is beautiful! If she is eating healthy and active then screw 'em.0
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Wow. Amazing how downhill a thread can go!
1- God forbid we fault the school for trying to make sure that a child is healthy. Healthy children learn best.
2- Obesity measurements are different for children and it's done in percentiles based on age/weight/height. Those of you spouting out a BMI of 20 something are using an incorrect calculator.
3- Reading further into the thread, it's obvious why this is happening. So many "it's just baby fat" comments. At what point is it no longer baby fat but extra weight? That line becomes blurred and especially to those caring for the child- the may not see the extra weight as an issue. As a fat child, and now a fat adult- I WISH someone had done an intervention on my mother. She let me sit my butt in front of the tv every afternoon with Little Debbie, potato chips and cans of Coke until it was time for dinner!!!0 -
At our school we had to sign a waiver if we DID NOT want our kids to have dental treatment on some nasty dentist bus, are you kidding me?! I looked up the dentist and he had lots of negative reviews and they send this joker to school to treat kids without their parents present? The world has gone insane.
Sadly, there are a lot of parents out there who do not invest in their children's health. The little ones who really need the free dental care are less likely to have parents who would actually take the time to sign them up for it. This is why waivers are sent so that you can opt out, rather than the other way around. I'm glad these children can get the help that they need, even if it may not be up to your standards.
They are going to get the mercury amalgam because it's cheap too, by a dentist with poor reviews without their parents present. Sad. Then go back the next day for "free" breakfast at school and get a double pack of pop tarts with almost 40 grams of sugar, sigh.
That is a good point. I know most clinical trials have concluded that mercury amalgam is safe, but there's still room for doubt. And that's terrible about the free breakfasts! What state do you live in? I'm in California, and there was a big overhaul a few years back, so kids now get more nutritious meals than ever.0 -
They are going to get the mercury amalgam because it's cheap too, by a dentist with poor reviews without their parents present. Sad. Then go back the next day for "free" breakfast at school and get a double pack of pop tarts with almost 40 grams of sugar, sigh.
The "mercury amalgam" (aka: silver fillings) are less expensive and they also last longer without breaking or cracking on those thick, weight-bearing back teeth than the white fillings do. If it were a front tooth issue it would be a composite resin (aka: white filling). And if the kid's parents were providing all of these things like they should, the parents can opt out.
These are simply the bare minimum help for kids whose parents don't do any of this for them, for lack of finances or just lack of caring. I was a dental hygienist and in school we had to go visit an elementary school with this type of program (Gasp!! They let students work in the children's mouths under direct supervision of a licensed dentist!) and saw a ton of children who had never been to a dentist before. My mother is a junior high teacher and she is constantly bringing apples and cereal to school for some of her students who don't get breakfast at home. If you have that many issues with it, sign out, do it on your own and move on with your life. Your kid probably doesn't need it but someone else's probably does.0 -
Why on earth do you need to post two topics on the same issue?
You seem to be taking this rather personally, and seem very insecure about it, to be seeking the opinions of so many strangers on the net over this, rather than using your own judgement and that of the child's family practitioner. To me, the child does look slightly overweight, viewing from eyes that have not been coloured by the fact that such a large % of the population is overweight, but she will probably grow out of it, most children get phases of puppy fat and grow up out of it.0 -
I do wic on the kids parents often tell me that the school tells them this. our computer flags them obese according to the BMI. the thing with that is the "normal" vs "abnormal" does not take into consideration the muscle mass, if they are bigger boned, thicker... I see kidos daily that can be exact smae height and weight but their body mass is different some are chubby, some are just thick had broad shouldered with biggger bones. I explain to the parents that everyone doesnt fit into the graph, those that are chubby I talk to about beign active and eating healthy choices. Those that are more muscle I talk to about healthy choices and staying active.. PLUS genetics have alot to do with it!!0
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Looks like a perfectly healthy beautiful four year old to me. School nurses tend to have a lot of check boxes and often don't get time to look at the full picture. I would question if the letter was actually meant for your granddaughter and not sent by mistake. BMI scales are very outdated and don't take into account the actual health and fitness levels of the individual.0
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Not obese and she's flipping adorable!0
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On a side note, I hate the term "puppy fat" *shivers*0
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Looks like a perfectly healthy beautiful four year old to me. School nurses tend to have a lot of check boxes and often don't get time to look at the full picture. I would question if the letter was actually meant for your granddaughter and not sent by mistake. BMI scales are very outdated and don't take into account the actual health and fitness levels of the individual.
And you've never been a school nurse have you? Ever called 911 for the teacher having a stroke? Heart attack? Dealing with the student who passed out? The diabetic whose blood sugar is 39? The other diabetic whose blood sugar is 407? The teen having contractions? The teen who thinks she is pregnant? The teen who is cutting and needs someone to talk to? The kids finally telling someone that her mother is beating her? The child who is vomiting all over the place? The child who fell and can't walk right now? Calling the parents for the third time to try and get the child in to get glasses so they can actually see in class and learn? Teaching staff how to handle emergencies when you're at one of your other FOUR schools.
Yeah, they just check boxes.0 -
They should be teaching good nutrition and health yliving to ALL children and families, whether they are obese or not.
So many skinny folks eat crap and don't exercise. I don't think it's right to single this particular family out.
My daughter was VERY obese as this age due to drinking too much milk, however, after we cut that out and continued our health habits, she's slimmed down nicely.
My son is now 4 years old and not as obese as she was, however he'd still be considered obese. He is 56 pounds and 3 foot 9. There is nothing I can do differently. He gets more playground time than most kids, he is in preschool also, we eat healthy stuff. He's got a very health appetite.0 -
They sent home a note saying she was" obese" and they wanted a home visit (not my home, her moms home) to disscuss nutrition to control her weight.
A home visit from WHO? Are they suggesting social services get involved? This is government interference at it's worst. She looks perfectly normal. If her weight seems heavy for her height, they are probably not taking muscle into account. I weigh a lot more than I look like I do because I have so much muscle and I get labeled as obese, according to the height/weight chargs. But I'm not. Labeling her at this age is just horrifying to me. And I'd be damned if anyone got through my front door for a "home visit" to check out how we eat. Its none of their freakin business! What is WRONG with those people.0 -
They should be teaching good nutrition and health yliving to ALL children and families, whether they are obese or not.
Agreed!!0 -
The school, however imperfect, simply shared the results of a routine screening. If there is a concern about her weight, please get a second, qualified opinion. A picture alone does not provide enough information for anyone to make a determination about her health, let alone a bunch of opinionated strangers on the internet. She's a beautiful child and deserves every chance to have a happy and healthy life.0
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They should be teaching good nutrition and health yliving to ALL children and families, whether they are obese or not.
Agreed!!
My kids actually *are* taught nutrition in school. Maybe it's just in my state?0 -
wow this really is shocking, its no wonder there is so many kids getting eating disorders.
Your grand-daughter looks perfect to me, a beautiful, healthy little girl. Not one bit over weight!!0 -
thier gudielines are stupid she's perfect I almost got into an argument with the wic counseler cause she said my 3 year old was overweight too. I told her then stop setting the poor up by giving them all this fatty milk that rotts thier teen makes body to acidic thats why you see all these poor kids with rotted teeth and their all on wic. I give my daughter wic but use it sparingly and that cereal is anything but healthy just urient deficiet cardboard food. She was mad lol I read natural news and wic is good but not as healty as they make it out to be it set the poor up thats my take on it. No but really your baby is perfect
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It's extremely hit or miss in my state. This is true even within individual districts, where schools are forced to rely heavily on funding from property taxes. Consequently, the schools in the more affluent areas get the better, more robust programs; the poorer ones, less so.They should be teaching good nutrition and health yliving to ALL children and families, whether they are obese or not.
Agreed!!
My kids actually *are* taught nutrition in school. Maybe it's just in my state?0 -
again so thankful I homeschool my children!
Shes looks fine but im not a doctor, so i cant say with certainty.0 -
It's extremely hit or miss in my state. This is true even within individual districts, where schools are forced to rely heavily on funding from property taxes. Consequently, the schools in the more affluent areas get the better, more robust programs; the poorer ones, less so.They should be teaching good nutrition and health yliving to ALL children and families, whether they are obese or not.
Agreed!!
My kids actually *are* taught nutrition in school. Maybe it's just in my state?
Yes, they need to end the property tax. It's a bad deal all around. :laugh:
We live in a working class area, neither affluent nor poor. However, it isn't a question of money really. Hell, with the advent of the internet, they wouldn't even need books/materials for it. When I was a kid, it was all about "the textbooks are falling apart." My kids don't even use textbooks for most of their classes. They use the internet and send their homework via email. Now my son *does* have a worksheet for homework in his writing class, and they do take notes on paper.
But seriously, both of them have come home talking about carbs and proteins and such, and everything they have said is accurate info. It sounds to me more like a curriculum issue, not a monetary issue.0 -
I think its because we are told by pics and tv that skinny is in. I checked the BMI and she is a healthy 20.3. Perfect.0
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I suggest that you or her parents bring this up with the school administration immediately. She is NOT overweight or obese. She is healthy and looks very happy. If they will not listen to your concerns, go to the school board. Make sure you have a written complaint prepared and record any interactions with the school (just inform them you are doing so before you begin). This not appropriate for your granddaughter's health or safety.
ETA: Consider that if you ignore this that there are likely other children getting the same treatment and hopefully bringing it to light will help someone.
Definitely!
This is so inappropriate of the school. This kind of thing is why young girls have such horrible complexes and end up with eating disorders. She is beautiful and should not have to be told something like that, especially at such a young age! Good luck, please let us know how it goes as you continue.0 -
I suggest that you or her parents bring this up with the school administration immediately. She is NOT overweight or obese. She is healthy and looks very happy. If they will not listen to your concerns, go to the school board. Make sure you have a written complaint prepared and record any interactions with the school (just inform them you are doing so before you begin). This not appropriate for your granddaughter's health or safety.
ETA: Consider that if you ignore this that there are likely other children getting the same treatment and hopefully bringing it to light will help someone.
Definitely!
This is so inappropriate of the school. This kind of thing is why young girls have such horrible complexes and end up with eating disorders. She is beautiful and should not have to be told something like that, especially at such a young age! Good luck, please let us know how it goes as you continue.
OMG the child wasn't told....the parents were....unless they are complete idiots and said something to the child, the child has no idea what is going on. Seriously???? these responses just get more and more ridiculous.....and of course the OP hasn't been back to say whether or not the parents are going to take the child to the pediatrician.....and I'm sure if the doctor does say the child should be monitored more closely (children are NOT put on diets, the goal is to prevent further weight gain and let their height catch up) we'll never hear that story.0 -
They sent home a note saying she was" obese" and they wanted a home visit (not my home, her moms home) to disscuss nutrition to control her weight.
I would go to the school and look around at the different staff members. The secretary, the VP and principla, the nurse..everyone. Make a list of who is over weight.
"Sure, you can come to my house to discuss nutrition and explain how a kids with a BMI calculated by her pediatrician is obese IF you bring your fat employees, X, Y and Z with you" That kid is no where near obese!!0 -
They sent home a note saying she was" obese" and they wanted a home visit (not my home, her moms home) to disscuss nutrition to control her weight.
I would go to the school and look around at the different staff members. The secretary, the VP and principla, the nurse..everyone. Make a list of who is over weight.
"Sure, you can come to my house to discuss nutrition and explain how a kids with a BMI calculated by her pediatrician is obese IF you bring your fat employees, X, Y and Z with you" That kid is no where near obese!!
except the child HASN'T been to the pediatrician so we have no idea whether the ped agrees with the school's findings or not.0 -
They sent home a note saying she was" obese" and they wanted a home visit (not my home, her moms home) to disscuss nutrition to control her weight.
I would go to the school and look around at the different staff members. The secretary, the VP and principla, the nurse..everyone. Make a list of who is over weight.
"Sure, you can come to my house to discuss nutrition and explain how a kids with a BMI calculated by her pediatrician is obese IF you bring your fat employees, X, Y and Z with you" That kid is no where near obese!!
Why does it make it any difference if the staff members are overweight? They are adults who can make their own decisions, and they weren't just looking at her in a lineup and telling her to come forward because they personally think she's fat. Just because people are overweight doesn't mean it's ok, maybe they'll end up with health issues that she can avoid if her parents start her on good habits now. And it has absolutely nothing to do with the BMI score - they didn't make it up. I don't see how hurling insults in all directions is a smart idea here when people are only doing this in the best interest of the child. Who really thinks these people sit at home at night thinking up ways to ruin the lives of young children?0
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