Why Are Schools Still Weighing Kids? Experts Share Concerns

Many young patients and their parents tell Erin Parks, PhD, that their schools weigh them and calculate their body mass index (BMI). Some even do hip and waist measurements. 

“These are typically done in PE classes in units on health and wellness,” says Dr. Parks, a clinical psychologist and chief clinical officer and co-founder of Equip, a company providing nationwide virtual treatment for eating disorders. 

The practice isn’t new; schools across the country have been weighing students for decades. While some states have stopped or loosened their weighing practices, at least 16 states, including Tennessee, West Virginia, Arkansas, and New York, still have these types of policies, according to a 2024 report from Undark, a nonprofit, independent digital magazine.

On TikTok, one expert recently voiced dismay that these practices are still happening, while some parents share experiences of their kids being weighed in school, with one mom saying it creates humiliation and insecurity. Experts worry that these policies do more harm than good and are setting youth up for failure.

Why Experts Worry About Schools Weighing Kids

Supporters argue that BMI calculations in schools are important in a time when obesity among kids is on the rise, and recent reports show children’s health is worsening. In rural areas around the county, families may not have convenient access to health care providers. And, in terms of a weight classification sport, such as wrestling, weigh-ins may be necessary for a child’s safety.

But medical experts share that weighing kids likely won’t target health concerns.

“Contributing factors to obesity are not going to be solved by weighing our children in school,” says Gabriella Dauer, MD, FAAP, a double board-certified pediatrician. “Weight alone is just a number and takes into account no other health factors for a child, so it should be left to the pediatrician’s office.”

Although BMI is quick and inexpensive, it has been criticized for being an inaccurate tool for measuring health. It doesn’t account for fat, muscles, and bone mass. It also doesn’t reflect the fact that body fat varies by race, ethnicity, and sex.

“BMI and weight give a limited snapshot and don’t tell much of a story,” says Dr. Parks. “They’re blunt tools and don’t capture other metrics like growth trajectories, genetic variation, or emotional and mental wellness.”

Experts also worry about the manner in which weigh-ins occur. In some districts, says Dr. Parks, kids are weighed in front of their classmates or results are shared indiscreetly.

“The problem is that these weigh‑ins or BMI checks can unintentionally trigger comparison, shame, body dissatisfaction, or disordered eating, especially in kids who are already self‑conscious or exist in large bodies,” she says. “There’s also risk in how results are shared, how private the process is, and if families and children understand what the numbers even mean.”

As for obesity rates, research finds that weight screenings don’t make much of a difference.

“There are concerns about the effectiveness of these screening programs as they haven’t necessarily resulted in improved health outcomes, while potentially draining resources from other obesity prevention measures,” shares Beth Rosenberg, MD, a pediatrician at Maven Clinic.

They can also negatively impact students. A study from Berkeley Madsen Research of over 30,000 students in third through eighth grade found that over one-third of them felt bothered by being weighed at school. Other research shows weight screenings can cause emotional distress in students, particularly those with a high BMI, and can increase a focus on weight and frequency of weight talk among peers.

What Parents Can Do

If your child is at a school that has BMI screenings, Dr. Parks recommends connecting with administrators.

“Ask for details: what is the policy, what is done with the data, who sees it, is there an option to opt out, and how is privacy guaranteed,” she says, adding that parents can also discuss alternative approaches with the school. For example, one study shows that students are more comfortable when nurses weigh them as opposed to PE teachers.

And always communicate with your child.

“Listen to how they feel about it, help them understand that a number doesn’t define their worth,” says Dr. Parks. “There is so much more joy in life outside of worrying about weight; all bodies are good bodies.”

Most importantly, don’t forget to focus on healthy habits at home. Experts recommend:

• Focusing on what health feels like. “Remember: at that age, bodies are meant to be growing and changing,” says Dr. Parks. “Try to help kids learn what it means to have energy, good moods, strong movement, restful sleep, and delicious food, not in terms of restriction but in variety and balance.”
• Changing the conversation. “Make movement joyful, food shared, and conversations around bodies and weight respectful and free from judgment,” says Dr. Parks. “When parents speak of wellness instead of diets and nurture self‑worth rather than size, kids grow up believing health is about well-being, not their appearance or a number on a scale.” That also means parents should have compassion for their own bodies, too, as kids notice how you speak about yourself.
• Being a good role model. Experts stress the importance of modeling the behavior you want kids to mimic. “Try incorporating the recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics by limiting ultra-processed foods, making water your drink of choice, limiting screen time, and building movement into your family’s daily routine,” says Dr. Rosenberg. “Find activities that you enjoy doing together, such as walking, biking, or even active gaming, and make it fun.”