Debate rages over school BMI tests
NO schools should be announcing the results of children’s BMI weight tests or opening private letters about tests intended only for parents, West Lancashire borough councillors have said.
Reassurances have been sought by councillors about the BMI test system after a recent complaint from one parent about BMI tests, a petition aiming to stop the tests and a complaint from a local councillor about his own experiences.
West Lancashire Borough Council debated BMI tests at its latest full meeting. A motion which initially called for BMI tests for pupils to be ended was changed to a motion raising concerns about how BMI tests are done and communicated.
A number of councillors said BMI test information was vital for public health, health services and government funding to the borough.
The issue was raised by Independent Cllr James Upjohn, who referred to a campaign to end BMI tests by mum Lauren Ormesher of Birch Green, Skelmersdale, after her young daughter, Maggie, was apparently labelled as overweight in a letter.
Cllr Upjohn said: “This girl got a letter from school saying they thought she was overweight. This has happened to my family too, to my son and daughter. We had a letter about my son when he was in reception.
“My daughter is a champion gymnast and is going to Florida this year for an event.
“But we have had a letter from school, saying she is overweight. She is not overweight.
“These BMI tests are not taking into account things like bone density and muscle mass. Children are being classed as underweight or overweight.
“I did an online poll on Skelmersdale First, which has 11,000 readers. I asked if BMI tests should be done in schools. Of 1,000 people who took part, 900 said ‘no’.
“There are hundreds of comments with everyone making the same points. I am not against testing but we need to think about the methods. We need to right to CCGs (clinical commissioning groups of local doctors, community nurses and health centres), Lancashire County Council and health authorities about this.”
Our West Lancashire Cllr Adrian Owens said: “I have corresponded with the Lancashire director of public health. He said he was quite happy to engage with local people about this.
“A nurse or a teacher callingout the BMI test results is not the way it should be done. But we must be careful. Are we really saying we do not agree with BMI testing? Type-2 diabetes is a big public health issue like cancer. One of causes is people being overweight and obese.
“BMI test result letters should go to parents. Councillor Upjohn’s son should not have been told. Councillor Upjohn, his dad, should have been told.
“We’ve just passed a motion saying we want new leisure centres to be built.
“I’m pretty certain that we will be using facts such as 29 per cent of school-age children are overweight or obese to support our research and work, based on BMI information. We use this type of information to direct public policy and funding into West Lancashire. If we say we don’t agree with BMI testing, where would we be with our Levelling-Up bid? Saying no to BMI testing may create other problems for us.”
Conservative Cllr Edward Pope had just attended a county council meeting about national child policy, He said: “Sixty-seven per cent of adults are overweight. Twenty-five per cent of children are overweight. Obesity rates double in school children between the ages of reception class and year six.
“Staggeringly, life-expectancy here in West Lancashire is nine years less than some other boroughs.
“Early years are really important for children’s health. Child measurement systems need to be in-place to help the NHS, schools and families. But perhaps we need to look at how information is given out and also at educating parents and grandparents? Many grandparents help look after children after school and give them treats.”
Conservative Cllr David Westley referred to a Public Health England report about child measuring. He said: “BMI testing is mandatory (legally required).
“Schools have to do it and the county council has to help. But the report sets-out how it should be done.
“Children should not be told. The school should not be told. If a child crosses the threshold, their parents should be told.
“Also a notification letter should be sent out two weeks before a BMI test. If a parent is against a test, they can say ‘no’. It’s stated in the document.
“We can raise this at the county council’s Health Scrutiny Committee, which I chair”.
Labour Cllr Gareth Dowling said BMI tests should be part of a range of methods to help people while Labour Coun Carl Coughlan said children should not be put-off having BMI. But things should be done sympathetically and in a rounded way.
Labour Cllr Neil Furey said: “I rarely agree with Cllr Owens but I share his worries about opposing BMI tests. I have type 2 diabetes and a number of factors can lie behind that.
“But I take exception to some of the stuff that comes from the education committee at the county council. They are very good at issuing reports but the reality is that many schools are still putting on sausage rolls and chicken bits for school dinners.
“There are other inconsistencies too, such as children getting enough exercise and sport.
“Also one of the factors is poverty. It’s not about grandparents stuffing children with treats.
“If people are poor, their diets are poor and their health is poor.
“BMI testing can be upsetting and I wouldn’t like my children to be informed, as some have apparently been. But I won’t be preached to from the dizzying heights of County Hall while nothing is being done to tackle poverty. I would go further and bring poverty into the debate.”
Conservative Cllr David O’Toole said the county council had assured him that schools did not do the BMI testing. Schools were the channel for passing-on letters in sealed envelopes to parents.
He said: “If any school opens a letter and announces the result, that is wrong. There would be disciplinary action against the school. But I have been assured about the system.”