Skip to comments.
Maine: School's body-fat test causes uproar
Press Herald ^
| 10-23-03
Posted on 10/23/2003 10:11:01 AM PDT by SheLion
AUBURN - A gym teacher's tests of fourth- through sixth-graders' body fat at Webster Intermediate School have triggered complaints by parents who say some children were upset and embarrassed by the results.
"It didn't give any explanation," said Jane Clavet of the slip of paper her sixth-grader received. "It just gave a number. You're fat or your not," she told the Sun Journal of Lewiston.
The furor began about two weeks ago when gym teacher Mary Jo Hodgkin measured students' body mass index, or body fat compared to height and weight, using new laser equipment that the school system had purchased through a grant.
Such body mass tests are recommended by the Maine Department of Education, and Principal Dick Brouillette said his school has been working to promote healthy lifestyles among students.
But many Webster parents said they knew nothing about the test until their kids brought home a printout that they said designated them obese, average or underweight.
Some pupils were in tears when they told their parents about it. Some were confused or suddenly worried about their weight.
A few days after the test, at least three parents had written or called the principal. Others said they complained to the superintendent of schools.
While agreeing that kids should be educated about healthy eating, exercise and obesity, they were angry that the test was given without their permission and that their children were handed sensitive exam scores in front of classmates.
"They're not dumb, they know everybody's being tested for the same thing," Clavet said. "If I had wanted it done I would have had it done at the doctor's office."
Hodgkin did not return phone , but Brouillette said he thought the tests would be helpful.
The principal said he doesn't believe the school should stop doing body mass index exams. In the future, he said, his school might consider confidentiality and parental permission more carefully.
TOPICS: Culture/Society; News/Current Events; US: Maine
KEYWORDS: bmi; bodyfat; gym; highschool; obesity; testing
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20, 21-40, 41-50 next last
To: El Gato
You mentioned bone structure, that was what the article said was the main reason that the BMI gradually runs amiss as people get taller.
Also the article did say that the best test for body fat was the water immersion test.
To: CheneyChick
But they have to know what the number means. I remember when I was much younger and I barely weighed 100 lbs (sigh! that was awhile ago). My fat ratio was actually high. These numbers can be useful, but teachers need to teach when they give students data.
22
posted on
10/23/2003 10:53:59 AM PDT
by
twigs
To: hobbes1
I agree it is not accurate, especially for people like me. I am 5'8" and weigh 195 pounds, which by that scale makes me obese. But I also have a 32 inch waist and 12 percent body fat.
The BMI, however, is accurate for most people who are not bodybuilders. And I doubt there were many bodybuilders in this teacher's gym class.
To: SheLion
"I told you guys already, dammit! I'm not fat, I'm just big-boned!"
24
posted on
10/23/2003 10:56:43 AM PDT
by
Jonah Hex
(The Truth Shall Make You Free-p)
To: SheLion
If I had wanted it done I would have had it done at the doctor's office." Could this be? A parent who gets it?
25
posted on
10/23/2003 12:43:29 PM PDT
by
Boxsford
To: SheLion
We're a nation of victims. Years ago we'd all line up and the school nurse would weigh us. We didn't even know we were victims.
26
posted on
10/23/2003 12:49:20 PM PDT
by
ladyjane
To: CheneyChick
Can you see where this could be headed? If they can test now for body fat what next? It's plain and simple intrusive behaviour by the government schools. This same situation has been posted concerning another school doing this in another state. It's a larger crack in the door by our government to gain access to personal information.
27
posted on
10/23/2003 12:49:41 PM PDT
by
Boxsford
To: SheLion
Dear Sir/Madam:
You are hereby advised that your child is too short for his/her weight. :~)
28
posted on
10/23/2003 12:54:26 PM PDT
by
verity
To: SheLion
Why do they need a "laser" to calculate the BMI? The BMI is a ratio of the weight to the height. A scale and a tape measure are all you need.
29
posted on
10/23/2003 12:58:43 PM PDT
by
krb
(the statement on the other side of this tagline is false)
To: krb
I'm curious, how do you do that?
30
posted on
10/23/2003 1:05:44 PM PDT
by
Boxsford
To: Boxsford
how do you do thatThe BMI is a mathematical calculation invented by the MetLife corp. in the 1950's (or sometime around that time) for determining life insurance premiums based on longevity.
Using data from 100 years or so, their actuarials came up with a remarkable highly correlated predictor using height and weight as the inputs that predict lifespan.
The formula is your weight in pounds multiplied by 703, divided by the square of your height in inches. (The reason for the 703 multiplier is that the formula is really your weight in kilos divided by the square of your height in meters).
31
posted on
10/23/2003 2:04:17 PM PDT
by
krb
(the statement on the other side of this tagline is false)
To: krb
Why do they need a "laser" to calculate the BMI? The BMI is a ratio of the weight to the height. A scale and a tape measure are all you need. Gawd! I have NO idea. I have never had this procedure done on me.
32
posted on
10/23/2003 3:38:53 PM PDT
by
SheLion
(Curiosity killed the cat BUT satisfaction brought her back!!!)
To: krb
33
posted on
10/23/2003 3:44:51 PM PDT
by
RoughDobermann
(Nuke the site from orbit. It's the only way to be sure.)
To: SheLion
See 33
34
posted on
10/23/2003 3:45:09 PM PDT
by
RoughDobermann
(Nuke the site from orbit. It's the only way to be sure.)
To: RoughDobermann
Ok! Thanks!!
35
posted on
10/23/2003 3:49:30 PM PDT
by
SheLion
(Curiosity killed the cat BUT satisfaction brought her back!!!)
To: SheLion
You're most welcome! FYI, if you get one, some say that the body fat percentage readings are a little higher than actual; I've seen reports of 8% high for females. Great scale though. It's weight measurements are highly accurate.
36
posted on
10/23/2003 4:05:03 PM PDT
by
RoughDobermann
(Nuke the site from orbit. It's the only way to be sure.)
To: SheLion
You're fat or your not," This is a professional journalist? My God, I weep...
To: SheLion
Arkansas too.
38
posted on
10/23/2003 4:19:31 PM PDT
by
ladylib
To: SheLion
The furor began about two weeks ago when gym teacher Mary Jo Hodgkin measured students' body mass index, or body fat compared to height and weight, using new laser equipment that the school system had purchased through a grant. I thought school was supposed to be about educating students, not wasting money on laser machines and evaluating the fat content of the kids like they are a cut of pork at the store.
Just one more reason to stay away from public schools.
39
posted on
10/23/2003 4:35:03 PM PDT
by
timm22
To: RoughDobermann
It's weight measurements are highly accurate. I hate those kinds of scales! :)
40
posted on
10/24/2003 8:35:39 AM PDT
by
Boxsford
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20, 21-40, 41-50 next last
Disclaimer:
Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual
posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its
management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the
exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson