This week the State of Massachusetts approved a weight screening program for public schools that is set to begin in all schools this fall. The program is modeled on existing programs in Arkansas and New York, and received unanimous approval from the Massachusetts Public Health Council.

However, eating disorders experts are raising concerns about the program, including the reliability of the body mass index (BMI) for children and the wisdom of sending BMI reports to parents. Rebecca Manley, founder of the Multiservice Eating Disorders Association in Newton, Massachusetts, wrote in a letter to the Public Health Council that, "Mandatory BMI reporting laws force parents to walk the fine line between encouraging healthy eating and promoting unhealthy weight loss strategies."

(Source: www.boston.com)

Labels: eating disorder, weight screening, massachusetts

Posted By: Aspen Education Group