You're absolutely right. None of the "statistics" mean a thing. But what do you do about, say, a third grader who weighs 40 lbs.? Something is wrong, but without a gov't standard, the teachers and school admin. can't say anything.
>>>>But what do you do about, say, a third grader who weighs 40 lbs.?
Bring back Gym as being daily.
My g-grandmother was 5'11"+, other than that, the women on my Mothers side tend more to be shorter than 'average'. The women on my dad's side tend more to be shorter than 'average'. EVERYONE on my husband's side tends to be short for their age&sex. This is genetics... I am not surprised that my children are short for their age. Their BMI is in line with normal because unhealthy drinks and food are a treat rather than a 'regular snack/meal'. Sodas and chips are an easy way out to give snacks and are all too often much too available in homes. It's not a rare occurance to see 'the fat family' at the local store. I don't understand people that don't want better for their children. The parents likely suffered taunting and abuse as children because of their weight (and their parents' lack of control). Why don't they provide better so that their children don't have to live that way?? I try to keep my bad habits away from my children... Unhealthy chips, cookies, ice cream etc. are for after they are in bed. It costs extra to buy low fat, low sugar, 'healthy' junk food that they get on weekends. (Sugar DOES effect their behavior - I wish I had the moment I realized it 100% on video)