This survey assessed school principals' perceptions regarding childhood obesity and the schools' role in dealing with the problem. Results of a survey of 277 elementary school principals are presented. (Author/MT)

Responses of 250 school nurses to a questionnaire regarding childhood obesity revealed that most believed that normal weight was important to children's health and that they should be role models by maintaining normal weight. Most also found child and parent weight loss counseling difficult and that schools should do more to alleviate childhood…

Elementary school physical education teachers were almost unanimous in their beliefs that normal weight is very important to the health of children, and accurately perceived the etiology of childhood obesity. Most did not believe schools do enough to alleviate obesity and supported school-based weight reduction techniques. (JD)