Are parents concerned about the way BMI is reported in the school report book?

[MrsKiasu]

Personally I would like to know the status else really have to google based on the numbers given.


From my child's experience she was once affected in mid primary when the nurse read her weight aloud in front of some of her classmates who then went around to announce it. We talked, reason it out..fast forward few years to now she likes to weigh herself every morning, like me. Not that she goes on diet or what. She likes to eat and continues with eating whatever she wants just that she will do some exercises if she sees her weight going up. I think we could probably see it as not too bad ba but need to talk to kid tell kid maybe that development may not be the same for all..some kids need that extra weight to grow for eg taller in the coming years etc.

They shouldn't go on diet at this age but maybe just a little bit more mindful on junk food/sugary drinks. Round round kiddos are cute :love:

[zac's mum]

The word “overweight” (or “underweight”) itself does not have negative connotations, unless the kids have heard people tell them so.


We can put it across in a simple way without making a big deal out of the word. Eg. Analyze with them that slightly over is ok. Personally I think only the “severely” categories are a health concern. The in-between categories are nothing to be alarmed about, except maybe it’s a chance to talk about (and think about) whether can have a healthier lifestyle.

The kids are too young to be dieting (in the sense of starving themselves) or to be worrying too much over a word or grade in the report book. It doesn’t reflect or certify their true worth (and parents can assure them that it does not too).

[Semummy]

Thanks MrsKiasu and Zac’s mum. Unfortunately, with the pressure on girls to look a ‘certain way’, even young girls are brainwashed into thinking certain body types are acceptable or not. We do not mention weight but health in the household, the negative connotations are from outside the house. We have sat DD down and she is clear but my question is whether MOE should be reporting in this manner? Is there a more sensitive way of doing it?


Actually the data on BMI in children and how that translates to adult health is not as clear cut (but I will not go into that).

[zac's mum]

Hmm…how about these categories:

- within healthy range
- below recommended weight for height
- unhealthy range

[sharonkhoo]

Semummy\" post_id=\"2026435\" time=\"1623072476\" user_id=\"88600:

Thanks MrsKiasu and Zac's mum. Unfortunately, with the pressure on girls to look a 'certain way', even young girls are brainwashed into thinking certain body types are acceptable or not. We do not mention weight but health in the household, the negative connotations are from outside the house. We have sat DD down and she is clear but my question is whether MOE should be reporting in this manner? Is there a more sensitive way of doing it?

Actually the data on BMI in children and how that translates to adult health is not as clear cut (but I will not go into that).

I think MOE is following the normal \"health/medical\" terminology. They may not wish to create another set of terms, though it's worth suggesting to them. Some families may need the stark and blunt words to get them to pay more attention to their child's weight and growth.

For your daughter, just continue to give her the home support and explanation as you have provided. My younger daughter (now in her 20s) was a chunky preschooler and has always been rather stocky in build (blame the genes). She regularly came in just over the \"desired\" range of BMI (may still do so, I haven't asked recently). She was healthy, active and ate a healthy diet with very limited amounts of \"junk\" foods. We lived in a more rural area in another country where all the girls were stick-thin! So I had to always remind her that BMI and other measures are averages that do not take in variations in build, bone density, etc. It seems to have worked as she is confident in herself and doesn't let her build worry her.

[MrsKiasu]

I agree with slmkhoo, continue with home support and explanations. Some schools may just somehow have a larger composition of slimmer girls if what a school bus driver told me is true.

[Imp75]

Sometimes kids just need to know the hard truths. I mean if the kid is overweight then it is so. Instead of dieting, maybe exercising together might help. For those parents with gymnast or dancers girls , how often have you heard the instructor said the girls have put on weight and to control diet even though their BMI is barely acceptable. My girls were called out to be fat with BMI of 18. I guess that’s the way it is, to appear light-footed and graceful.