Parents' Perceptions and Use of School-Based Body Mass Index Report Cards

BACKGROUND: Obesity in children and adolescents has become one of the most critical public health problems in the United States. Schools may play an important role in raising awareness and possibly slowing the obesity epidemic. METHODS: The purpose of this study was to gather information on parents' perception and use of body mass index (BMI) report cards provided by public schools through the administration of a questionnaire. The questionnaire was developed with the assistance of physical educators, pediatricians, and exercise scientists. The questionnaires were backpacked home with 1127 students in 6 Arkansas public schools. Parents completed and returned 404 questionnaires. RESULTS: Findings indicate that parents are supportive of schools reporting BMI and providing information on healthier lifestyles. However, most parents reported not making any adjustment to their child's diet and physical activity habits based on the BMI reports. Approximately half of parents (55%) thought the BMI report accurately reflected their child's health status. Approximately half of the parents reported their child's BMI report led them to think about their family's health habits. CONCLUSIONS: Although parents do support receiving BMI information from schools, many did not indicate using the data to initiate changes such as increased physical activity or healthy eating.