Arkansas led the nation in measuring obesity in kids. Did it help?

Sixth-grade boys at a middle school in Arkansas were recently measured for their height and weight as part of a program to address childhood obesity. The students received letters notifying their parents about their weight and body mass index (BMI) category. While some states have scaled back or discontinued similar programs, Arkansas continues to use BMI measurements as a screening tool. However, studies show that these letters have had little effect on weight loss, and critics argue that they can contribute to weight stigma and eating disorders. The effectiveness of interventions to address childhood obesity remains uncertain.