Body Mass Index Data in Students' Report Books and Measures to Assist Students with Weight and Body Image Issues
Ministry of EducationSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns MP Mr Melvin Yong Yik Chye's query on diverting Body Mass Index (BMI) data to health services and school measures for addressing student weight and body image issues. Minister for Education Chan Chun Sing explained that schools include BMI in the Holistic Development Profile to involve parents in their child's development and use internal support strategies, such as goal setting, for students. Students requiring more help are referred to the Health Promotion Board's Student Health Centre for medical assessments and counselling, while physical education lessons promote active and healthy lifestyles. Furthermore, the Character and Citizenship Education curriculum equips students with the knowledge to build a positive body image and understand developmental changes without relying on external affirmation. These holistic approaches focus on anchored self-worth and intrinsic qualities, ensuring that physical markers like BMI do not negatively impact a child's mental well-being.
Transcript
10 Mr Melvin Yong Yik Chye asked the Minister for Education in light of reports by health experts which find that physical development markers such as the Body Mass Index (BMI) can have a negative impact on a child's mental well-being (a) whether BMI data can be sent to school health services for follow-up instead of being listed in the student's report book; and (b) what is being done in schools to assist students with weight and body image issues.
Mr Chan Chun Sing: Schools measure the height and weight of students twice a year to monitor their physical development, using Body Mass Index (BMI)-for-Age norms set out by the Health Promotion Board (HPB). Following the measurements, students outside the healthy range for physical growth are supported by the school to focus on healthier behaviours using strategies such as journaling, goal setting and action planning in physical activities and nutrition to bring about gradual improvement in BMI. Severely overweight and severely underweight students are referred to the HPB's Student Health Centre (SHC) for medical assessment and counselling.
Schools recognise the importance of working with parents to enhance their child's holistic development and well-being. Hence, schools may reflect many indicators, not just academic indicators, but also conduct, attendance, CCA records, physical fitness test results and BMI weight indicator in the Holistic Development Profile report to inform students, update and seek their parents' support in reinforcing the holistic development of their children at home.
Our schools adopt a holistic health promotion approach to improve the overall well-being of students, and to encourage them to lead an active and healthy lifestyle. Through physical education lessons, students are taught good health habits such as healthy eating, and regular participation in sports and exercise to lead an active lifestyle.
Our Character and Citizenship Education (CCE) curriculum equips students with age-appropriate knowledge and skills to help them build positive body image and healthy self-esteem. Students learn to appreciate their strengths and understand the developmental changes that they experience as they grow. They also learn that their sense of worth does not need to depend on external affirmation, but can be anchored on their understanding of themselves and their intrinsic qualities.