Parents uncertain about obesity testing

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Along with the traditional rites of spring — some tests, an end to winter stir-craziness and perhaps allergies — most public school students go through an annual health assessment to determine their fitness.

The Department of Education’s (DOE) FITNESSGRAM reports for kindergarteners through 12th graders cull information including students’ Body Mass Index (BMI) with the aim of telling parents if their children are in shape.

While the state authorizes vision and hearing tests along with screening for common disabilities and diseases, some parents take issue with schools getting involved in obesity testing.

Lara Dua-Swartz, who has sons at the Spuyten Duyvil School (P.S. 24) and the David A. Stein Riverdale/Kingsbridge Academy (RKA, M.S./H.S. 141), said that FITNESSGRAMs have labeled one of her boys obese several times — “and he’s not,” she insisted.

“It’s supposed to be sealed, but all the kids open it,” said Ms. Dua-Swartz, who did not want to specify which of her sons she was talking about in order to prevent further teasing. She explained that classmates mocked the boy because his BMI put him in the “overweight” range, although his pediatrician said that was not the case.

“Is it really the school’s place?” she asked about obesity testing. “I’m on the fence about it.”

But it’s a “no-brainer” to state Sen. Jeff Klein, whose 34th district includes Riverdale. He is pushing to take obesity testing to the rest of the state.

A bill he introduced earlier this year would authorize every public school in the state to screen for childhood obesity as part of their health services. The legislation also requires schools to teach good health practices.

In an interview, Mr. Klein cited a 2013 report by his office that found children in New York State are more likely to be obese than the average American child. That was in spite of the fact that the obesity rate for adult New Yorkers is less than the national average.

Department of Education, FITNESSGRAM, Lara Dua-Swartz, Jeff Klein, Isabel Angell
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