Could BMI Report Cards From Schools End Childhood Obesity?

According to the CDC, 17 percent of all children and adolescents are classified as obese in the U.S. This number has continued to rise in the past 30 years. Now, at least 19 states have begun to send home "fat letters' or BMI reports for students from elementary to high school in hopes of eliminating the childhood obesity epidemic.

While these reports may be a step closer to helping obese children, some fear that letters could trigger unhealthy eating habits or low self esteem. Instead of the general teachings of health and nutrition or physical education, the BMI reports are much more individually specific.

In the clip above, Josh Brooks, blogger at OpReclaim.com, tells HuffPost Live how the BMI report could have been the wake up call he needed. Now dealing with back problems and arthritis in his knees due to his weight, Brooks feels the letters are giving a "specific targeted intervention...providing a step in the right direction for what needs to be done against childhood obesity." Check out the clip above for more of Brooks story.