127 pound girl-athlete given a "fat letter" to take home from school.

[greatlaurel]

230. BMI is junk science

My DH is a retired college phys ed prof and retired women's coach. He has stated for decades that BMI is absolutely meaningless. He laughs every time his health plan calls for his phone check up and they tell him how good he is BMI is. His great BMI did not keep him from getting Type 2 diabetes, his genetic predisposition was the key.

Now, I want very much to defend good coaches and phys ed teachers. They do tremendous work for young people and help them establish mental tools for resiliency to use for the rest of their lives. My DH coached women's college basketball and never, ever required his players to loose weight or get weighed. He knew that was none of his business. He would get them, by a number of fun and demanding ways, in the best shape of their lives. One of his players was in a horrendous car accident. The doctors told her parents the only reason she survived was because of her tremendous physical condition. She went on to finish college, have a career and have a family.

Unfortunately, there are a certain percentage of coaches who are sociopaths or other types of abusers who have no business around young people. Administrators are very poor at screening out these people. They do so much damage.

The parents of this young woman are doing exactly the right thing. Thanks for posting this. Also, thanks for the info about this district and to everyone who has been supportive of the parents and the young woman. Shame on you few jerks that think the shaming behavior is OK. It is not and it is damaging. You have no idea how many young woman develop eating disorders.