One in four Australian children aged two to 17 are classified as above a healthy weight, based on their body mass index (or BMI, which is weight divided by height squared).
The Australian College of Nursing says school nurses can play in curbing childhood obesity and preventing chronic disease by weighing and measuring school-aged children.
Karen Grace, the Australian College of Nursing’s national director of professional practice told the Nine newspapers:
Nurses are perfectly placed to help identify when further help is needed and to refer to a GP or dietitian.
The proposal has sparked anger from health professionals and parents, but the college says its aim is to reduce stigma and judgement, and to support families.
So, should school nurses weigh students? We asked five experts.
Five out of five said no.
Here are their detailed responses.
Authors: Fron Jackson-Webb, Deputy Editor and Senior Health Editor
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