BMI Doesn’t Mean Buy More Ice Cream! The problem of childhood obesity in the United States has grown considerably in recent years.  Between 16 and 33 percent of children and adolescents are obese.  Obesity is among the easiest medical conditions to recognize but most difficult to treat.  Unhealthy weight gain due to poor diet and lack of exercise is responsible for over 300,000 deaths each year.  Overweight children are much more likely to become overweight adults unless they adopt and maintain healthier patterns of eating and exercise. On the whole, kids are spending less time exercising and more time in front of the TV, computer, or video-game console.  And today’s busy families have fewer free moments to prepare nutritious, home-cooked meals.* A child with a body mass index at or above the 95th percentile for age and sex is considered overweight.  BMI uses height and weight measurements to estimate how much body fat a person has.  Those at risk for overweight have a BMI between the 85th and 95th percentiles.** At Aitken School we have made a decision not to use food as a reward and to limit the amount of less healthy food served to our students.  Parents have been asked not to send in any food for their child’s birthday.  The date may be recognized with non-food items such as pencils, stickers, or possibly a donation of a book to the classroom or school library.  Holiday parties will still take place with limited food items.  An emphasis will be placed on activities rather than the food. Of our 443 students, 31.6 % are either at risk for being overweight or are overweight.  Below are the statistics by grade.  I think you will agree that the high percentages are alarming.  We hope you will support us in our efforts to make Aitken School a healthier environment. Grade                At Risk        Overweight K   (67 students)        19.4 %        13.4 % 1st  (73 students)        13.7 %        9.6 % 2nd (73 students)        15.1 %        11 % 3rd  (72 students)        18.1 %        22.2 % 4th  (72 students)        19.4 %        13.9 % 5th  (87 students)        16.1 %        18.4 % *Obesity In Children and Teens, Facts for Families from the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. ** KidsHealth, August 2005