I found two online stories about that but both were from dodgy wingnut sites.

If it's true, chances are it's part of the Healthy Arizona initiative that is focusing on obesity and not hunger. Arizona is the 35th most obese state, hardly the problem it is in Dixie.

Funny how that shit works, innit?

In any case, parents need to know if their kids are in health trouble so the ones who are equipped to do something about it will do something about it.

obese and when they're not, and that's even if they're blind. Do they need a note? A note? Really? A fucking note?

"Junior is just HUSKY! He's gonna play ball someday!"

to say that the parents "know when their kids are obese" and then cop an attitude toward them as if they are stupid.

The US is still, as far as I know, multicultural. Some cultures value a bit of bulk on their bodies.

And for the ones who don't, denial isn't something they practice on a conscious level. When you see something/someone every day, you tend not to really see it. Especially when it happens over the course of time.

So yeah, I can sort of see where a school might have to bring the problem of childhood obesity to the attention of parents/guardians.

& the child did not look even overweight!

the school didn't want to single out any of the overweight kids, and so they may have sent those letters out with all the children. Parents could then consult with their pediatricians, who would make the call on obese or not.

not on weight loss itself because people will always go back to their old ways after losing weight.

a note about their kids being fat isn't going to do much. as if people don't know they are fat.

is almost like a virus.

That didn't accomplish anything either but it's good to know.

Funny thing is we are more interested in saving possibly hurt feelings and not in saving their lives. Oh well I guess they are doomed anyway.

The school nurse sent a note home with my daughter, telling me that her BMI was 25.1, and therefore she was overweight and in danger of becoming obese. She was 5'9" and weighed 165 and was nowhere near overweight. I just laughed and threw it in the garbage.

I think I understand why they do this, because there are parents who really are clueless about weight, obesity, etc. and maybe educating them about the problem could be helpful. But I'm not clueless, and I wasn't concerned. My daughter, on the other hand, was alarmed and it required quite a bit of reassurance from me that she wasn't 'fat'. Kids have enough to worry about these days, I think.

screen for.

In Texas, most county school districts are required to check for acanthosis nigricans, a darkening and thickening of skin on the back of the neck. It can also be checked in the folds of the arms, etc. It is graded according to severity. When found, the child is weighed and blood pressure is checked, all for signs that Type II diabetes is developing. A letter is sent home to the parents to urge them to meet with their pediatrician to modify diet, exercise, etc. explaining the importance of corrective action. Acanthosis nigricans screening is done mostly in states with high Hispanic population, but it should be done in every school, IMO.

ALOT of parents don't realize their child is obese. They see a mirror image of themselves, and rationalize it, saying "He's just big-boned like me," never considering that the diet handed down generationally, and similar physical behaviors with respect to exercise, is creating the health problem.

These programs save money in the long run, even if someone's feelings get upset in the process.