What a ridiculous idea!! They need to leave the scales out of the classrooms and just teach. The nurses are there for sick kids and nothing else. Parents are responsible for their children’s health, not the schools or the Government. There’s always been different sized children and there always will be.

I don’t think this is a good idea at all. I wasn’t ridiculed at school for my weight but for my height and that was bad enough. If it’s such a great idea, then the school should be supplying lunches for the children and teach them what is good and bad for them instead.

I think it’s a good idea because a lot of parents are so clueless on the weight of their children. I weigh my kids once a month and keep those details on my phone. Many times it has come in handy when visiting the doctor or a specialist as they need the weight of the child to ascertain how much medication to give them. Also, if a parent has no idea how much their child weighs they may be in denial that there is an issue, not just being overweight but also underweight.

I think this would be more harmful than helpful.

This should be the parents job and the gp

And don’t underestimate the impact of parents and the eating habits of the family within different cultures. Within some cultures being a large size is considered positive and beautiful

This hasn’t worked overseas in other countries and has been stopped. Can we not learn from their mistakes and try to re-invent the wheel here in Australia? It truly won’t work – teaching nutrition and bringing back home economics would be a far better idea.

Weighing children is not the answer!!!! We need much more education around healthy foods and healthy lifestyles. Educate the parents as-well, they do the grocery shopping.

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  • • mom486197 replied
    • 11 Sep 2024 , 11:48 am

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  I am 100% with you on this. It is definitely not the answer. I think they are going to cause so many issues for kids that is completely un-necessary.

With some of the world’s highest rates of obesity, we need to do something. The illnesses occurring as a result stipulate action is needed asap. Are scales the answer? Probably not. Let’s learn about healthy bodies, foods, exercise, fresh air, respect for selves and different body types and cultural influences. That way we’re addressing multiple issues, not just one little number

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  • • Ellen replied
    • 11 Sep 2024 , 7:43 am

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  Yes I agree, scales are not the answer !

This could very easily lead to public shaming.

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  • • Ellen replied
    • 13 Sep 2024 , 8:03 am

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  Yes, how to make kids insecure or victims of bullying !

I don’t think we have school nurses in Australia. This is up to the parents.

I don’t think this would work at all. I was a fat kid (am now a very healthy and fit adult in a size 8 ladies), and the anxiety that I would feel in anything that might come close to singling me out was intense. Kids who are overweight are just going to get targeted and bullied even more. Yes, they do need to start learning about eating healthier and exercise, things that they obviously aren’t learning at home, but there needs to be a better way of doing it.

I think it’s a great idea. It’s not to shame anyone, but to help those that will be at risk of obesity and other weight related issues. Im sure the nurses won’t be advertising and weighing the kids in front of other kids. It’s a great way to educate them . Dr can weigh kids when they visit so what’s the difference.

This is a tough one because although I don’t like the idea of weighing kods at school and having them learn to focus on a number…. sometimes weight in children can get out of hand and does need some education so I dunno….

Good! Some has to care enough and take responsibility for the ever emerging pre teen and children who are morbidly obese and overweight!

I think its a terrible idea weighing kids.
Teach kids about healthy eating and lifestyle habits but don’t destroy their confidence and self esteem by shaming them about their weight.

A school nurse and education about healthy living is a great idea. Weighing children is not and it’s totally unnecessary. If you need to “weigh” a child to know they’re overweight then there’s probably no issue.

I agree with the statement that “Weighing children and identifying them as ‘overweight’ or ‘obese’ can lead to feelings of shame and stigma,”

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  • • Ellen replied
    • 10 Sep 2024 , 7:55 am

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  Whilst education about health and healthy food could be part of the curriculum at school, I think weighing our kids at school goes a step too far. I think we can weigh our kids ourselves if we desire to do so or have their weight checked by a health check at the GP or pediatrician

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    • • mom93821 replied
      • 11 Sep 2024 , 5:38 am

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    I agree; there are many pressures for children at school and this could add to the load.

A dietician provides advice and support on nutrition, food and weight; what ongoing resources and supports would a nurse bring to the school around these topics and managing weight. Cooking classes on preparing healthy food, sport classes for being active and encouraging a well balanced and healthy lifestyle each and every day makes sense to me.

We had weigh ins by the child health nurse in kindy and pre primary. It was based off bmi with age added in. My child was classified as overweight. But when I made her older same height and weight low and behold she was a healthy weight. She’s not overweight. But tall for her age.