After sixth grader Lily Grasso had her body mass index (BMI) assessed by school health officials, she was sent home with a "fat letter" from the county health department to notify her parents of her risk of becoming overweight, United Press International reported.
Grasso, 11, of Naples, Fla., was examined in accordance to Florida law in an effort to prevent childhood obesity. However, the letter from the Collier County Health Department enraged the girl's family who claim they have no evidence to prove she is "at risk."
"It says 'at risk,' and then it tells you to go to their website. When you do that the 'at risk' turns to 'Lily is overweight,'" said Kristen Grasso, the girl's mom. "Lily is athletic, tall, plays volleyball six days a week for two different teams. She's not overweight."
Even though the health screens are conducted at the beginning of each year, the examinations fail to include that students with a healthy, athletic build -- like Lily, who is 5'3" and 127 pounds -- may have a high BMI without being at risk.
Deb Millsap, a spokeswoman for Florida's health department, defended the letter.
"We always want parents to realize that it says so in a letter, and it's only a screening tool," Millsap said. "Every parent, [even] if a child's screening is normal, receives a letter so no child is singled out."
Some doctors agree that the BMI screenings at schools can be extremely effective in obesity prevention as rates of overweight children and teenagers increase.
"They're a great idea,"said Dr. Stephen Pont, chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics' Provisional Section on Obesity. "I very much hope all parents can become aware."
On the other hand, other health officials side with Grasso's mother and believe the current practice could negatively affect body image issues.
"I would like to see BMI testing in schools banned," said Claire Mysko of the National Eating Disorders Association. "For those who are already insecure about their weight, these tests can ... potentially trigger an eating disorder."
Although Grasso has brushed off the entire incident, she said it could be damaging to others.
"This whole thing is stupid," Lily said. "It can hurt people. It can break their courage."
