To read the news stories, all our worst fears for our children are rolled up in so-called “fat letters” sent home from school to tell parents that a child is overweight. Bullying, humiliation, shunning — they are all said to flow from such letters. Could be. Yet, if we can get control of our panic it seems this information is often helpful to parents in adjusting their kids eating habits. Here in Toronto, the Toronto and District School Board will not send out letters although it will weigh and measure the height of kids. Presumably parents can ask. The discussion began with a paper issued by the American Academy of Pediatrics. The AAP says letters home are an important tool in combating the obesity epidemic. This kind of screening has been going on in parts of the U.S. for over a decade, and despite the objections, has led to positive lifestyle changes for many of the children identified as obese, the paper argues. So there you are. Hamilton Spectator
