Is Your Kid Fat?

Mar 022010

Is my kid fat? Am I fat? How do I know?

Last year public health authorities in Massachusetts mandated that all public schools begin calculating body mass index, or BMI, for all 1st, 4th, 7th and 10th graders, with the result being provided to their parents. While I wholeheartedly agree that the obesity epidemic is a huge public health problem [there are data that suggests that the average Americans life expectancy may decline for the first time in modern history] , I’m not so sure about this approach.

For starters, it’s a misuse of BMI, which was popularized by a 1972 paper by Ancel Keys, though the equation dates to the 19th century. However, BMI was explicitly cited by Keys as being appropriate for population studies, and inappropriate for individual diagnosis. Yet that is exactly what it we’re using it for. All that BMI does is suggest that if you fall into the 25-30 range, you might be overweight and you might be at greater risk of certain diseases. There is nothing definitive or diagnostic about it.

Last week, we received the state-mandated notice from the school nurse informing us of Darling Boy’s BMI. As if we don’t have enough issues with healthy body image role models (if there even is such a thing!), now we’re formally labeling kids as overweight or obese in elementary school. And really, is there any parent out there who is getting this notice and saying “Wow, my kids overweight? I had no idea!”?

The cynical part of me thinks this is just another example of the government doing something to say “look at what we’re doing to combat the obesity epidemic”. There was an excellent column in The Boston Globe Magazine on Sunday that brought up 2 very good points. In order to be in public school, all 4th graders must have a physical exam, whether they play sports or not. So in theory, every 4th grader has already been seen by a pediatrician, who one would hope would say something to the parents if the child’s weight might be a concern. The other point of the article, and I’m paraphrasing, was “the public schools can’t thin the herd, the herd has to thin itself”. In other words, it’s a matter of personal responsibility, or in the case of kids, parental responsibility.

I struggle with my weight and have for many years. I’ve been as heavy as 225 lbs and as “light” as 185 lbs, in the past 2 yrs alone I’ve lost almost 20 lbs and have proceeded to put most of it right back on. Is this anyone’s fault except my own? Hell no.

Why do I want to loss weight?

Because my parents are overweight and have illnesses directly attributable to their weight and overall lack of fitness.

Because 3 of my 4 grandparents died of cardiovascular disease.

Because it’s my responsibility as a parent to demonstrate healthy eating habits to my kids.

Because I want to, for my own sake.

NOT because of some government program.

See the picture below? That was taken in Sept 2008 for an HNT, when I was around 185 lbs. It’s time to turn things around, I WILL get back to that weight. And when I do, I’ll show you. No more stealth abs for me!

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Petal

I agree that the BMI index is not appropriate to use for individual diagnosis, it just doesn’t ‘fit’ enough people correctly to be accurate as a measure for weight, especially for children. A recent study here in NZ showed that the majority of parents of ‘overweight’ children did not actually recognise that their child was overweight, which I think is a bit of a worry. There needs to be a point where it is pointed out to parents, where that point is, I dont know. Im not entirely sure that school is an appropriate place for that to happen.

I dont know about the States, but I have noticed here that overweight children usually belong to overweight parents. Its something that the whole family needs to take on board, not just be directed at the child. I like your take on this tho, its a worldwide issue that is hitting epidemic proportions.
http://paigesblogofnothing.blogspot.com Just me…

I don’t know about other’s kids, but mine ‘chunks up’ a little just prior to a growth spurt.. Just in the last 3 months, she’s gone from size 7 being tight and too long to the same jeans being loose and too short.. And she’s 8.. I think a singular snapshot of a kid’s weight and the label of ‘overweight’ being tagged on them is as detrimental as parental ignorance.. Of course, being more libertarian than anything else, I see it as just one more way government wonks insinuate themselves into your life..
http://anothersuburbanmom.blogspot.com Another Suburban Mom

What concerns me is that DB was worried about his BMI. I think that he could eat more healthfully, and I will get those fruits and veggies in him if it kills me, but I don’t want him worrying about his weight. That is my job as the mom and Hubman’s job as the dad.
kittykillkill

Heya Hubs, I created a post just to let other’s know your blog has moved!
http://msscarlettletter.blogspot.com/ Ms Scarlett

I think it’s insane to use BMI to chart kids. Hell it’s not even useful for most adults! If you have anything approaching what we would call a “buff” body (ie: more muscle than the average person) you ‘BMI will peg you as obese. It doesn’t take growth spurts or bodybuilding into account.

I believe if kids (and us, for that matter) are eating healthy, and in the proper portions, they will be fine.
http://hubmanshangout.com hubman38

Petal- I agree that parents who don’t recognize that their kids are overweight are a worry. No doubt, overweight kids come from overweight parents, which perhaps is part of why the parents don’t realize that their kids are overweight. Denial isn’t just a river in Egypt!

Just Me- I think it’s normal for kids weight to fluctuate a little bit and an attentive parent would be able to distinguish that from a truly overweight kid.

ASM/Veronica- I didn’t realize that DB was conscious of that. Shame on me, I suppose. But more importantly, why the hell is a 9 yr old kid, with a normal body weight, even thinking about that?

Kittykillkill- I saw, thank you!

Ms Scarlett- You make a good point. At 6’2″ and 205 lbs my BMI is 26.3. While I bitch some about my weight and do want to loss some, the notion that I’m “overweight” irks me.
http://www.hairbowsandguitarpicks.com Hair Bows & Guitar Picks

Our school did this too awhile back and what really upset me was my son was trying to skip lunch now because he thought he was “fat”. Like Just Me said all my kids tend to chuck up a little before they grow taller.

It is my job to worry about his weight and what he does/doesn’t eat and no one else period!
http://aprilsrandomshowers.blogspot.com April

I remember when I was in elementary school, they would use this skin fold caliper to measure our body fat. They would pinch your back and arm using the caliper and it always hurt, in my opinion. Anyway, they never told us the results. We knew why they were doing it, but it wasn’t something any of us every worried about. If they’re going to use the BMI for children, which is a horrible idea, then they shouldn’t let them know what they’re doing. No need to make kids feel insecure. Although, I do believe that childhood obesity is a HUGE problem that is only getting worse.

Certain groups of people are putting out there that “big is beautiful” and “love yourself the way you are” and while that’s not a horrible way of thinking, it completely neglects health.

A woman I worked with at a previous job had a daughter who was the same age as Ethan. At the time, I believe the kids 8 years old. Her daughter was 4ft tall and weighed 110 pounds. ONE HUNDRED AND TEN POUNDS. AT EIGHT YEARS OLD. She was definitely tall for her age, but it was apparent to everyone that she was morbidly obese. When the doctor told her that her daughter was obese and needed to go on a diet, she got pissed. Told him he was an asshole and went to another doctor. That doctor told her the same thing. So, instead of giving her THREE jelly/custard filled, powdered donuts in the morning for breakfast, she gave her two. And she refused to admit that her daughter was obese. Instead, she called her, “big boned” and “thick”. Insisting that it was just baby fat. Well, I saw her about a month ago at the store with her daughter. That baby fat has more than doubled. It’s a shame really.
Dee

Great post, Hubman! I don’t know if your kids play WII, but my then 8-year old stepped on the balance board and was told she was overweight. Don’t remember the exact words, but it was harsh! We got the WII for the family to use as a means of extra activity, so it’s not like we aren’t aware of the need for exercise, but this poor child has been obsessed with her weight ever since then! We council her to eat healthier and be more active and model the behavior, and always have, but I am now worried about her overall outlook.

Anyway, great post, as always.
Jormengrund

Hey Hubman.. Nice digs you’ve got here!

I also struggle with the weight. Before going into the Navy, I was barely 175 pounds. Coming out of the service, I topped the scales at 285. However, my doctor at that time told me I was unhealthy NOT for the weight, but because my body fat ratio was at only 3% body fat.. I wasn’t fat enough!

So, now I’m hovering around the 310-280 mark, and wondering what it would be like if I could get down to my target goal weight of 220.. *sigh* There are times when it seems like for each step you take, four more drop off from underneath you.

Now I’ve got kids in school who are highly consious of their weight. They’ve got school counsellors who will call them into their offices from classes in order to lecture them on proper foods and exercise. They’ve got school “nurses” who will rant at them about needing to trim up, and slim down. They’ve got peers who are heavier than they are, and some who are thinner.

My problem? Having some nameless faceless entity trying to make cookie cutter stereotypes out of our children. Instead of letting the kids actually BE kids, we’re trying to lock-step them into whatever we CHOOSE FOR THEM, instead of letting them grow, and make their own choices. I know that there are things I _want_ them to choose, but I’ll never FORCE them to pick my choices. That’s part of growing up!

I say it’s best if we’re able to get these ID-10-T’s to have a hands-off approach, and let our kids grow up. Let the parents and kids make their choices, make their mistakes and triumphs, and leave the family dynamic where it belongs.. With the families.
http://pleasure-principle-hedone.blogspot.com/ Hedone

Sorry. I didn’t read the article. I’m sure it’s important (I don’t have kids) but I was busy perving on the pic of your abs. Very nice lines…very nice.