Association between child weight status and parent response to a school-based body mass index (BMI) screening and parent notification program

Background: Concern about childhood obesity is increasing, as are school-based body mass index (BMI) screening/parent notification programs. Purpose: To examine if parent response to a school-based BMI screening/parent notification program varied by child weight status. Significance: BMI screening/parent notification programs promote healthy weight and a healthy lifestyle. Because one in three school-aged children are overweight, such low-intensity programs merit continued support, especially for children with limited health care access at increased risk for overweight/obesity. Methodology: In January 2012, a randomly-selected sample of parents (n=122/282; 43% response rate) of 2nd and 4th graders participating in a BMI screening/parent notification program completed a mailed survey assessing parent response to weight-related information about their child. Child weight status (normal versus overweight) used measured height/weight. Chi-square tests and logistic regression were conducted. Findings/Results: Parents read most (24%) or all (56%) the letter. Most parents (75%) reported BMI information as helpful (75%). In response to the letter, parents of overweight children were more likely to see a medical provider (13% versus 1%), eat together as a family (51% versus 25%), put child on a diet (21% versus 2%), limit snacks/sweetened drinks (64% versus 21%), and increase physical activity (58% versus 12%). These significant differences remained after adjusting for child's gender and grade, and parent's ethnicity and education. Conclusions/Recommendations: Most parents reported school-based BMI screening/parent notification programs as helpful. Parents of overweight children were more likely to report lifestyle changes. Further study should investigate associations between parent response to program information and child weight over time.