One School's Fight Against Obesity

N.J. Middle School Helps Keep Kids Weight Down With "Health Report Cards"

(CBS)  In its third report card on state efforts to control their children's weight, the University of Baltimore gave six states an "A."

New Jersey, which CBS News visited three years ago, managed a "B." This week CBS Evening News Saturday anchor Thalia Assuras returned to take a look at one school's progress.

When we first met Nurse Noreen Scully at Long Pond Middle School in New Jersey back in 2004, she was busy keeping tabs on the height and weight of 430 students, and using those numbers to calculate their BMI, or body mass index, the gauge of total body fat.

Whenever a student's BMI went above what's considered a healthy level, Scully sent home a special health referral — a “health report card” to their parents.

"We give them the child's height and weight, we give them their body mass index, and then we tell them what the averages are."

Three years later, we found her still busy getting those measurements as mandated by state law. New Jersey is one of eight states that require schools to send parents BMI report cards. At Long Pond, Scully has seen a positive trend.

"We've seen, statistically, less children being referred, so hopefully it is making an impact — sending those referral letters — and also educating them about good nutrition and appropriate exercise for children," said Scully.

But despite this school's success in fighting fat, and nationwide attention to the problem of obesity, most of America's children are still losing the battle of the bulge. The Institute of Medicine says the obesity rate in children and teenagers is up from 16 percent to 17.1 percent over the past two years, and could rise to 20 percent by the end of the decade.

That's a red flag for many parents — including some, such as Michelle Enders, who were apprehensive when their kids first came home with a BMI report card.

"Initially my first reaction was, I think, what every parent feels, and that’s 'What are they saying?’”

Enders' daughter got BMI report cards in the 2nd and 4th grades. Her unease was soon replaced by concern for her daughter's health.

"If a parent is told something negative about their child it's not received well — even if it's true, it’s not received well. But if you kind of set those issues aside and look at it as a health standpoint, then you're making a choice for your child," she said.

She has replaced juices high in sugar with low calorie drinks, helping her daughter get back to a healthy weight.

In addition to the BMI letter, school cafeterias in New Jersey cannot serve food of little nutritional value such as junk food, candy, and soft drinks. Snacks with more than 8 grams of fat are also out. Exercise is also part of the nutritional policy, even given as homework.

While most of the country is failing the grade on obesity, Nurse Scully says Long Pond students are getting the message.

"We're trying to have children that have life-long skills, life-long healthy skills. We don't want this generation to be the first generation that has a shorter life expectancy than their parents do," she said.

But not every state has embraced the BMI report card. In Texas legislation stalled when critics argued schools should focus on education, not eating habits. And in Georgia the proposal was dropped due to concerns over potential harm to students' self esteem.

[mdc76082]

Gee, what ever happened to good'ol gym? I don't understand why any school would be this envolved. Splap the parents and say, "Hey mom & dad your kid is FAT! Your kid will probably develop diabetes in the next 20/30 years and will probably die early as a result, if the heart attack or stroke doesn't kill them first. Also, they'll probably end up with a handicapped sticker on their car and a Rascal scooter attached to the back so they can run their fat arses in & out of Wal-Mart buying twinkies and Little Debbie cakes. Get'em off the cell phones, PS3s & iPods and get their fat arses outside for some good'ol exercise!" I go to my son's school and it is just sad to see these kids. Weebles. Then you take a look at some of the parents and you know why. Disgusting. We're not talking glandular problems either. The sad thing is they don't need diets, they just need to learn to eat smart and get some exercise.

[allygator19]

I think this is absolutely horrible. Grading children on their weight... are you kidding? This emphasis on weight is just making the obesity rate worse. People try fad diets and eventually gain more weight back. How about some healthy exercise or eating normal foods in some moderation? Some children are obsessive with their grades.. what do you think they will do with weight grades? This could lead to an opposite problem and if people are so obsessed with their weight and food they forget to just eat normally. Normal eating is eating when you are hungry and stopping when you are full.. Sometimes going over and sometimes going under. This whole concept is ridiculous and if someone in my school ever did this I would protest nonstop.

[allygator19]

I think this is absolutely horrible. Grading children on their weight... are you kidding? This emphasis on weight is just making the obesity rate worse. People try fad diets and eventually gain more weight back. How about some healthy exercise or eating normal foods in some moderation? Some children are obsessive with their grades.. what do you think they will do with weight grades? This could lead to an opposite problem and if people are so obsessed with their weight and food they forget to just eat normally. Normal eating is eating when you are hungry and stopping when you are full.. Sometimes going over and sometimes going under. This whole concept is ridiculous and if someone in my school ever did this I would protest nonstop.

[mygramma]

allygator, some children are obsessive with their grades because their FARGING PARENTS make them that way. I just looked at my fourth grade report card from 1953. It's amazing the things we were graded on besides academics. Citizenships was one of course, but on into respect, cleanliness, even down to face, hands and teeth. Here are some others.
- keeps himself well occupied
- is able to follow directions
- is neat and orderly
- works to the best of his ability
- conducts himself without supervision
- sits, stands and walks correctly
- obeys promptly
- considers and respects the rights of others
- uses books and other materials carefully
- keeps desk, table and hall in order

So, if I get an F in cleanliness, do I also get a complex over dirt? Hell no. I take a bath or brush my hair and teeth. And guess what? The girls start with the love notes.

So who is your model cheerleader? One of the Dallas Cowgirls? We don't have many of those in Arkansas. Most of them are built like Rosie O'Donnel, and they die young. When is Fat important enough to bring to the attention of parents? When it's there. Does grading Fat do any good? Maybe... maybe not. The curriculum doesn't deal with buffet behavior.

[lonestartnow]

When more than two-thirds of our population is overweight, and it's no secret that overweight and lack of physical activity are leading indicators of type 2 diabetes and heart disease, it becomes obvious that this is an issue that is costing us all. It's partly education, partly personal responsibility and then just knowing what to do to make a change. We need all the help we can get and the schools that can push this forward are part of the solution, not the problem. Still, children learn from their parents--they learn by example--and sad to say, this seems to be part of the problem. Obesity in children and adults is a huge (pardon the pun) national problem, and it's one that is going to take solutions from many diffent levels and approaches, school programs as well as workplace wellness programs.

[facsteach]

Schools are in the business of education. Having a report card on a students BMI may be excessive, but it can provide the student a baseline for their overall health. My school provided me with a Walk Smart Virgina, which counts how many steps I walk in one day. The students and teachers are all trying to make 10,000 steps per day. This is a start. The nutrition aspect is a personal choice. Through phyical education they provide our students with the overall knowledge of nutrition and wellness. It is not all about weight, it's a live style and wellness.
As an educator I am trying to set an example for my students. If a student wants to talk to me I tell them they have to walk with me. One student at time. We can all change our live style we just have to take the first step.

[olgreyghost]

Another reason to homeschool - before "Child Protection (sic)" Agents show up at your door to discuss your child's weight...