Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco, 3333 California Street, Box 0503, San Francisco, CA 94118, USA.
J Sch Health. 2012 Jun;82(6):294-300. doi: 10.1111/j.1746-1561.2012.00700.x.
School-based body mass index (BMI) or body composition screening is increasing, but little is known about the process of parent notification. Since 2001, California has required annual screening of body composition via the FITNESSGRAM, with optional notification. This study sought to identify the prevalence of parental notification when screening is required but notification is optional, and the methods and messages used.
Researchers conducted phone interviews with 851 school districts (89%) in California and reviewed notification materials from 54 districts.
As of 2008, 53% of California districts notified parents of screening results. Many districts (24%) did not know the reason for their notification policy. Most districts notified parents via a letter mailed home (70%) or sent home with the child (18%). Whereas 79% of sample letters provided students' BMI, only 12% provided an explanation of BMI, and only half provided tips on what parents should do if concerned about their child's results.
In California, where body composition screening is required but parent notification is not, approximately half of school districts elect to notify parents of results, most commonly via letter. Most letters do not explain BMI or percent body fat scores, nor do they suggest what parents should do for a child identified as at-risk. Further research to identify interpretable and actionable notification messages for parents will be critical if school-based BMI and body composition screening and notification is to reduce childhood obesity.
学校为基础的体重指数（BMI）或身体成分筛查正在增加，但对于家长通知的过程知之甚少。自 2001 年以来，加利福尼亚州要求通过 FITNESSGRAM 每年对身体成分进行筛查，并可选择通知家长。本研究旨在确定在要求筛查但可选择通知家长的情况下，通知家长的比例，以及所使用的方法和信息。
研究人员对加利福尼亚州的 851 个学区（89%）进行了电话访谈，并审查了 54 个学区的通知材料。
截至 2008 年，加利福尼亚州 53%的学区通知了家长筛查结果。许多学区（24%）不知道其通知政策的原因。大多数学区通过邮寄给家长的信件（70%）或随学生带回家的信件（18%）通知家长。虽然 79%的样本信件提供了学生的 BMI，但只有 12%提供了 BMI 的解释，只有一半提供了如果家长对孩子的结果感到担忧，应该做什么的提示。
在加利福尼亚州，身体成分筛查是强制性的，但不要求通知家长，大约有一半的学区选择通知家长筛查结果，最常见的方式是通过信件。大多数信件没有解释 BMI 或体脂百分比分数，也没有建议家长对于被识别为有风险的孩子应该做什么。如果要通过学校为基础的 BMI 和身体成分筛查和通知来减少儿童肥胖，那么进一步研究为家长提供可解释和可操作的通知信息将是至关重要的。
