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Georgia to track students' BMI
Filed under: Nutrition: Health, Development/Milestones: Babies, Day Care & Education
A new law in Georgia requires schools to measure and track students' body-mass index in order to help combat widespread problems with obesity; more than one third of the students in the state are considered overweight. They're not the first; several other states have similar laws on the books, including Arkansas, which was the first in 2003.Children will be weighed twice a year, in private. Their BMI will be tracked but kept confidential. "Sally, step into the office, step up on the scale, that's about as invasive as it gets," said Senator Joseph Carter, who sponsored the bill. "The presence of childhood obesity is staggering," he added.
Not everyone is a fan of the idea, however. Senator Preston Smith wants to keep the government out of the weight loss business and worries that pressure from schools will do more harm than good. "Come on, pick it up fat kid, we're not going to get money if you don't!" he said, mimicking what he thought school officials would say.
Personally, I'm not sure this will lead to a significant increase in school-related trauma, but I'm also not convinced that this will do any good whatsoever. It seems to me that nutrition education and reworking P.E. classes to be more practical and enjoyable might be a better solution, but I'm certainly no senator. What do you think?
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ReaderComments (Page 1 of 1)
3-03-2008 @ 11:55AM
Jan Bay said...What good is tracking going to do if they aren't providing a support structure? What is the course of action if a student tests positive for a spare tire? Required Weight Watchers meeting attendance?
Since when can people hide if they are overweight?
The money and time spent tracking could be better spent on developing exercise and nutritional education programs.
Jan from http://www.unique-baby-gear-ideas.com/
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3-03-2008 @ 4:04PM
Karen said...I'm ok with this idea, but only because I'm staggerly shocked at how many parents do not know what is a healthy body weight for their children.
Additionally, I do think it will lead to more PE and a greater focus on health in schools.
Our previous school had PE once a week. Our current school has 30 minutes of PE daily and my children do situps and pushups at the beginning of each class. They are stronger and healthier because of it.
They are both thin, and in addition to PE swim for 4 1/2 hours a week, but I'd like to know their BMI.
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3-04-2008 @ 7:10AM
Laura said...If your kids are fed healthy food (but not completely denied occasional treats) and get enough exercise then I think it's NO ONE ELSE'S BUSINESS what he or she weighs! This just pisses me off to NO END. According to my BMI I should be knocking down death's door, but guess what? I had a big range of blood work done when I got pregnant with my 2nd child (due in June) and shocked everyone by my report of 100% total health. Really, If you read my results you'd assume I was of a normal weight but I'm not. I eat properly, I exercise and I've stopped caring about those numbers. I've had my thyroid checked twice and there's nothing wrong with me. I have no health problems whatsoever! YOU CAN be 'fat' AND HEALTHY! Shocking eh? *eyeroll* I find this just wrong that kids are being put through that humiliation.
When I was in school I actually did have a couple teacher who disliked me. Not sure I'd want them to be able to access what I consider MEDICAL records!
I have an idea to combat childhood obesity! Leave em alone! Stop putting so much pressure on them! In 10 years the rate of eating disorders is going to shock everyone (but me).
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