Body fat tests at school spur complaints

AUBURN – A gym teacher’s body fat tests of fourth- through sixth-graders at Webster Intermediate School have triggered complaints by parents who say some children were upset and embarrassed by the results.

“It didn’t give any explanation,” said Jane Clavet of the slip of paper her sixth-grader received. “It just gave a number. You’re fat or you’re not.”

The furor began about two weeks ago when gym teacher Mary Jo Hodgkin measured students’ body mass index, or body fat compared to height and weight, using new laser equipment that the school system had purchased through a grant.

Such body mass tests are recommended by the Maine Department of Education, and Principal Dick Brouillette said his school has been working to promote healthy lifestyles among students.

But many Webster parents said they knew nothing about the test until their kids brought home a printout that they said designated them obese, average or underweight.

Some pupils were in tears when they told their parents about it. Some were confused or suddenly worried about their weight.

A few days after the test, at least three parents had written or called the principal. Others said they complained to the superintendent of schools.

While agreeing that kids should be educated about healthy eating, exercise and obesity, they were angry that the test was given without their permission and that their children were handed sensitive exam scores in front of classmates.

“They’re not dumb; they know everybody’s being tested for the same thing,” Clavet said. “If I had wanted it done I would have had it done at the doctor’s office. Why put them through that in school?”

Hodgkin did not return phone calls seeking comment, but Brouillette said he thought the tests would be helpful and expressed surprise at the controversy.

The principal said he doesn’t believe the school should stop doing body mass index exams. But in the future, he said, his school might consider confidentiality and parental permission more carefully.

“I think it’s an issue that we really need to take a look at,” he said. “We didn’t think it was going to be a big issue.”