Publications by authors named "Jennifer K Linchey"

Current evidence demonstrates that, while a widely used tool for childhood obesity prevention, school-based BMI reports do not effectively reduce pediatric obesity. The purpose of this study was to examine the presumed mechanisms by which BMI reporting might impact child weight by assessing parents': (1) recall of BMI reports, (2) accuracy in recalling child overweight status, and (3) reactions to BMI reports. Mailed surveys were completed by 2205 racially/ethnically diverse parents of third- to seventh-grade students participating in the who had either been exposed to 1 year of child BMI reporting (one report) or 2 years (two reports).

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Background: The accuracy of students' heights and weights measured by school staff for body mass index (BMI) screening/reporting has not been established. This study examined school staffs' measurement accuracy, comparing accuracy by staff- and student-level characteristics.

Methods: School staff and researchers measured the height and weight of 1008 4th-8th grade students, within 1 month of each other.

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Objective: In this study, we identify predictors of parental underestimation of child weight status and support for school-based BMI screening and reporting.

Methods: Parents of 3 through 7 grade students (N = 1002) participating in completed mailed surveys assessing parent race/ethnicity, weight status, perception of child weight status, and preference for BMI screening and reporting.

Results: Only 33% and 6% of parents classified their overweight child as somewhat overweight and their obese child as very overweight, respectively.

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School-based body mass index (BMI) screening and reporting could have a positive impact on student health, but best practices for writing a report are unknown. Building on previous qualitative work, 8 focus groups were conducted with a diverse group of California parents (n = 79) to elicit feedback on report content and design. Results indicate that parents want a visually appealing, picture-heavy report that clearly defines BMI, avoids stigmatizing language, and includes recommendations for appropriate actions whole families can take.

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Background: Many elementary schools have policies requiring a minimum amount of physical education (PE). However, few schools comply with local/state PE policy and little is known about how to improve adherence. We evaluated changes in PE among fifth-grade classes, following participatory action research efforts to improve PE quantity and policy compliance that focused on publically disclosing PE data.

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