SitNews - Stories in the News - Ketchikan, Alaska

Viewpoints: Letters / Opinions

MY KID IS NOT FAT!

By Kevin Staples

 

June 02, 2014
Monday PM


At the beginning of the school year, Ketchikan was lucky enough to receive a grant that was aimed at helping our youth live a healthier and more active life style. All of our children were measured for BMI, and after all of the data was collected letters were sent out letting parents know that some should be concerned about very real risk factors.

After these letters went out, some parents took umbrage to what was stated as fact and called the local resources which were listed in the letter to complain that someone would dare call their children over weight.

These letter home to parents showed very real statistic and how their child was ranked against those in their respective age groups. The letter also provided parents with a means of helping their children if they felt there was a risk of obesity and they were concerned that, perhaps, they should weigh some valuable lifestyle changes to ensure a longer and healthier life for their children.

A few parents even went so far as to call local offices that were listed as a resource asking why someone would DARE call his/her children FAT! At no point did anyone say, "hold on a minute, maybe this is a real problem and concern. Maybe I should look into this more. Maybe this is a real "

With so much outcry, the program was just cancelled. The nurse who was brought in to help was let go. Congratulations Ketchikan. Let's stick our heads in the sand a little further. Very real statistics were provided for you to read and hopefully see that we have a very real problem. Instead of screaming at nurses, try to ask what you can do to help your child. It's one small step, but one that just may help everyone in your family live a happier, healthier and longer life.

Kevin Staples
Ketchikan, Alaska

 

Received May 29, 2014 - Published June 02, 2014

 

 

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