As schools raise awareness about childhood obesity, there has been a steady climb in concerns about eating disorders among children and preteens.
According to a recent report from the C.S. Mott Children's Hospital National Poll on Children's Health, some parents have concerns about school-based obesity prevention measures and the effects such programs could have on their children.
As many as 40 percent of parents who responded reported that, in children age 6 to 14, schools provide incentives for increased physical activity.
Fifty-nine percent reported a limitation on sweets and junk food in the classroom, and 42 percent said there is nutrition education in school.
While parents and administrators want to keep children from becoming overweight, the report found that 30 percent of parents reported worrisome eating behavior, such as eating too little, and a lack of physical activity in their children.
But some teachers and parents aren't jumping to conclusions.
Cleburne ISD physical education teacher Tammy Blair said any exercise incentives or eating healthy programs are only meant to produce positive results, not negative.
"We [the P.E. staff] meet regularly to discuss different types of exercise and to promote more healthy eating habits," Blair said. "I would not agree that we have students who are over exercising, but we do have some worrisome eating behaviors. We do have an obesity problem at the elementary school level."
Blair said students mimic what their families do. She said on-the-go families incorporate fast food as a diet staple without realizing it.
"I don't think parents realize the statistics say that this is the first generation of children that won't outlive their parents," she said.
She said the programs are not designed to make students feel bad about their bodies.
"We all look out for symptoms of some type of eating disorder," Blair said. "We immediately contact the parents or refer the student to the campus counselor. I do [cafeteria] duty for kindergarten and first grade, where we can see what they're eating.
"Just last week I caught a student who had doughnut holes in his lunch box. I did ask the parents, 'Are you aware your son has doughnut holes in his lunch box?' And of course, they didn't know."
Michelle Rasmussen, mother of two Coleman Elementary School students and a registered dietitian who is licensed by the state, said healthy eating habits must start at home.
"I do always review what's being served and the choices they will make," Rasmussen said. "Children today weigh 10 pounds more than they did 30 years ago, so there's something we are not doing right as parents. It has to do with TVs, electronics, video games. I see children at a really young age drinking soft drinks. I think back 30 years ago, I don't even know if I had soft drinks at that age. My kids barely have them now. It's just putting students in the mind set of practicing portion control. A lot of fast food restaurants' portions are outrageous."
Coleman counselor Valerie Ard, who has worked with students for more than 15 years, promotes positive self-image and helps students who have self-esteem issues.
As a counselor at then-Cleburne Intermediate School (now Wheat Middle School), Ard said she sometimes saw students in the early stages of an eating disorder, and sees elementary students focusing more on their body image than in the past.
"I had a student who was definitely overweight," Ard said. "You could tell it was affecting her self esteem. She was just a needy young girl. It's a touchy subject, especially with girls. You don't want them to feel bad about themselves, but at the same time, we need to say, 'Hey, you need to pay attention here.'"
Blair agreed.
"We just kind of have to put it in their court and see what they do," she said. "We always follow up. We'll ask [the parents] if they're seeing improvement at home. We'll send a positive note home, stay in contact."
CISD continues to promote healthy habits, but does so in manner mindful of student successes, she said.
Coleman PTA last year promoted a new spring fundraiser, the Coleman Canter. Students received donations based on how many steps -- counted by PTA-funded pedometers -- they took. Based on positive reviews from parents and students, the Coleman Canter will continue. Organizers plan for it to be held at Yellow Jacket Stadium during school later this spring, as a way to incorporate exercise into the school day.
Similarly, Cooke students participated in the eight-week program Walk Across Texas in conjunction with the Texas AgriLife Extension. Parents and students were encouraged to walk, run or bike together. Parents signed off on the exercise logs, and in doing so, students learned how far they had "walked" across the state.
