Using Katie's weight at school would have worsened her illness.

Katie Parrott recently became a mother, but her journey to parenthood was not an easy one. For years, she struggled with an eating disorder, sacrificing her own well-being for the sake of achieving a certain body type. So when she heard about the Australian College of Nursing's proposal to have all school-aged children weighed by a nurse, she was filled with fury.

At 30 years old, living in Tasmania, Katie shared with 9news.com.au her disappointment that society still holds onto the belief that there is something inherently wrong with people's bodies, particularly those of children. The idea that a child's weight needs to be constantly monitored and controlled is outdated and damaging.

The controversial proposal suggests that nurses should be responsible for identifying children at risk of obesity and intervening by discussing ways for them to "grow into" a healthy weight, rather than putting them on a restrictive diet. However, Katie points out that regardless of the language used, the underlying message remains the same: a child's weight must be controlled.

As someone who has personally experienced the harmful effects of society's obsession with weight, Katie knows all too well the impact it can have on a person's mental health and self-confidence. Growing up, she was bombarded with subtle messages about her body and what it should look like. And while no one directly told her to go on a diet, the pressure to conform to society's standards was still present.

Katie recalls feeling constantly watched and judged by those around her, particularly when it came to her eating habits and exercise routine. She is not alone in this experience, as many others her age also remember being taken to Weight Watchers meetings at a young age. This pressure to conform to a certain body type can have devastating consequences, as it did for Katie.

After finishing school, Katie developed atypical anorexia, meeting all the criteria for a diagnosis of anorexia nervosa but not being underweight. However, because she did not fit the stereotype of a severely underweight anorexia sufferer, her symptoms were often not taken seriously, and she struggled to receive proper help.

In fact, she received praise and admiration for her restrictive eating and excessive exercising, which only reinforced her unhealthy behaviors. Now, as a mother to a four-month-old daughter named Juniper, Katie is determined to break this harmful cycle. She fears that having nurses weigh children and promote weight loss in schools will only perpetuate these damaging beliefs and behaviors.

Katie questions why society is regressing, rather than progressing, when it comes to the policing of our bodies, especially those of children. She believes that what children truly need is acceptance and body positivity, not constant monitoring and judgment.

While the Australian College of Nursing claims that nurse-led interventions are crucial in combating childhood obesity, some experts disagree. Dr. Stephanie Damiano, manager of the Butterfly Foundation's body image program, warns that the proposed measures could cause even more harm to Australian children who are already struggling with body dissatisfaction at alarming rates.

In recent research conducted by the Butterfly Foundation, more than half of Australians aged 12 to 18 reported dissatisfaction with their bodies. Additionally, there has been an 86% increase in eating disorders among Australians aged 10 to 19 in the last 12 years. These shocking statistics highlight the urgent need for support and intervention for young people struggling with body image issues.

Dr. Damiano fears that having children weighed in schools will only worsen these alarming statistics. It has the potential to increase body dissatisfaction, anxiety, and disordered eating behaviors, which can have long-lasting effects well into adulthood. Contrary to popular belief, shaming individuals for their weight does not lead to improved health behaviors or weight loss.

Furthermore, these measures are unlikely to benefit children who are deemed obese or at risk of obesity. In fact, they may cause even more harm, as these children may already be struggling with disordered eating behaviors, which could be exacerbated by the pressure to lose weight.

As someone who struggled to receive support and treatment for her own eating disorder, Katie does not want to see the same thing happen to more young people, especially now that she is a mother. She firmly believes that having healthy young people is not achieved by having nurses weigh and monitor their weight. Instead, she suggests that nurses be trained to identify and intervene with disordered eating behaviors, rather than focusing solely on weight.

Katie is horrified by the thought of her daughter Juniper going through the same struggles she did in a school environment where she should feel safe. She wants her daughter to grow up knowing that there is nothing wrong with her body, and she hopes that society will start to embrace body positivity and acceptance, rather than promoting harmful weight standards.

Despite their opposition to the weighing of children in schools, both Katie and Dr. Damiano support the ACN's recommendation that all young Australians have access to a nurse at school. They believe that nurses can play a crucial role in promoting positive body image and supporting those struggling with disordered eating.

In conclusion, the focus should be on educating and supporting young people, rather than policing their bodies. If you or someone you know is struggling with an eating disorder or body image concerns, please reach out for support through the Butterfly Foundation's National Helpline.

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