School weigh-ins are dreaded. They also don’t work.

Author

Amanda G. Salazar, Craig Newmark Graduate School of JournalismFollow

Graduation Date

Fall 12-15-2023

Grading Professor

Lauren Friedman

Subject Concentration

Health & Science

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Abstract

Schools across the country have been screening their students for Body Mass Index for decades, based on the assumption that telling families about a student's weight would promote weight loss. Years of research has shown that BMI screenings don't actually have any impact on weight, but instead can be harmful to students' mental and emotional wellbeing. These harms can last for years into the future, in some cases. So, why are BMI screenings still such a common practice?https://schoolbmiscreenings.weebly.com/

Recommended Citation

Salazar, Amanda G., "School weigh-ins are dreaded. They also don’t work." (2023). CUNY Academic Works.
https://academicworks.cuny.edu/gj_etds/673