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Lawmakers To Consider Banning 'Fat Letters'

BOSTON (CBS) --- State lawmakers will consider legislation Tuesday, that would ban so-called "fat letters."

Right now, schools collect information about each student's height, weight and body mass index.

If the BMI is on the high side, the school sends letters home letting parents know their child may be at risk of obesity.

Critics of the letter say it's the parent's job, not the school's, to take charge of their child's health.

Over the summer, the Department of Public Health said they have seen reports coming back to their office that show the BMI findings have been mishandled and have been used to bully obese children.

DPH's Cheryl Bartlett told WBZ NewsRadio 1030 in July, that they were considering keeping the testing but doing away with the letter to parents.

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