Teen obesity screens may not help with weight loss

Eight states now screen their students for obesity and inform parents if their children have a high body mass index. But does screening students for obesity actually improve obesity rates? UC Davis Assistant Professor Kevin Gee’s new research indicates it may not.

Gee analyzed data from the Centers for Disease Control’s Youth Risk Behavior Survey to compare a group of students who were screened throughout 11th and 12th grades with a group who were exempt. No significant difference was found between the groups’ amount of weight loss, levels of exercise, or dietary intake.