Things that make me turn off the radio

[tim]

Overheard during a Think Out Loud discussion of health care reform: some guy (a guest, not a caller!) suggesting that [schools?] should
'notify parents of their children's height, weight and body mass index, so that they can be empowered and take charge'

Can you name all the reasons why this is a horrible idea?

Comments

[naath]

Firstly it's vile that people want to make this "the parents' problem" rather than "the child's problem"; unlike some things of immediate urgency and great complexity I think most children of school age can cope with normal (unfortunately probably not actually normal at all), sensible advice such as "vegetables are good for you" and "playing outside is healthy". Parents need to BACK OFF and acknowledge that children are people, and should be able to be in charge of their own bodies.

Secondly I think it's a huge breach of the child's trust to have the child's health-care providers "report" to the parents' without the child's consent. Obviously there are times when this is necessary (such as if the child as a serious illness), but I do not think that this is one of those times. Doctor-patient confidentiality anyone?

Thirdly if parents want this info can't they measure the child themselves and stick the numbers into google for the BMI? Bathroom scales and a tape measure are not all that expensive surely.

Fourthly why are schools to measure these things at all? Schools are not doctors, probably they would give very bad health advice unless strictly directed to gives specific good advice; since so much bad advice is floating around.

[tim]

Oh, but don't you know? Schools are not doctors, but they are a great instrument for social control.