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8th Grader Goes Viral for Bold Essay Critiquing BMI Tests, Showcasing Profound Insight
Meet the new inspiration we didn’t know we needed! A brilliant 8th grader has captured the internet’s attention with her powerful essay challenging the outdated practice of BMI testing. Her insightful critique emerged after she was asked to calculate her BMI during a school assignment and was mistakenly categorized as “obese.”
A family friend, cartoonist Alex Harper, took to social media to share this young girl’s impactful response. He expressed pride in her courage to tackle the harmful body image ideals imposed on children. “She wrote this amazing essay after a project on body-mass-index testing. As an active and strong athlete, it was disheartening for her to be labeled ‘obese.’ Let’s encourage our children to embrace their bodies and question societal norms,” he shared.
Her Insightful Critique
In her essay, she responds to the first question about what BMI is, stating, “BMI is an outdated method for assessing a person’s health and should not be used in schools, where students are often insecure about their bodies.”
But it’s her response to the second question, asking students to calculate their BMI, that truly shines. She boldly asserts, “I refuse to calculate my BMI, and here’s why. I’ve always been a ‘larger girl,’ and I embrace that! I’m strong and athletic. However, this year, I’ve struggled with negative thoughts about my body. I even tried wearing multiple bras to hide my back fat and wrapped bandages around my stomach to appear slimmer.”
Her story resonates with many, highlighting the universal challenges of body image. She continues, “My caring mom took me to the doctor, who reassured me that I’m healthy despite being a bit overweight. My doctor, after years of study, confirmed that my height and weight are perfectly fine, so I won’t let an outdated formula define me.”
A Message of Empowerment
She concludes her essay with an empowering message: “I’m learning to love my body as it is, and I refuse to let an outdated calculation or a middle school gym teacher define my worth. My BMI is my business, and I am beautiful just as I am.”
What a powerful statement! This incredible teenager serves as a role model, reminding us all that we are perfect in our unique ways.
Further Reading
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In summary, this 8th grader’s viral essay shines a light on the flaws of BMI testing, advocating for body positivity and self-acceptance. Her brave stand against outdated norms is a reminder for all to celebrate their individuality.