The risks of a quick fix: a case against mandatory body mass index reporting laws.
As the United States addresses obesity, a number of state legislatures are considering laws that require schools to track and report students' body mass index (BMI), a measurement of body weight (weight/height2). This article describes the state level activity on mandatory BMI reporting, offers numerous arguments against this practice, and suggests an alternative approach to promoting health in youth. Mandatory BMI reporting laws place a new and inappropriate responsibility on the schools. Proponents of such laws imply that BMI reporting will have positive outcomes, yet there is virtually no independent research to support this assumption. The authors argue that these laws could do significant harm, including an increased risk for children to develop eating disorder symptoms.
Cogan
Jeanine C
JC
Eating Disorders Coalition for Research, Policy & Action, USA. jeanine@cogancoaching.com
Smith
Joslyn P
JP
Maine
Margo D
MD
D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006296:Health Services / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D019221:Mandatory Reporting; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012572:School Health Services / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013334:Students / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014481:United States