When you’re the eighth fattest state, when over 800,000, or 12 percent, of your children are obese or overweight, and when 30 percent of your adults are obese, something has to change. That’s exactly why the state of Michigan could begin requiring to screen and report children’s BMI statistics in the near future.
Michigan Governor Rick Snyder tackles the state's growing obesity problem
Michigan Governor Rick Snyder will announce his proposal on Wednesday, September 21. Synder has made plans to have doctors begin providing body weight data to a new state registry. This move is viewed as one of the most extensive government efforts to confront the overwhelming problem of pediatric obesity.
Similar to how immunization records are reported, children’s BMI stats will be reported to the Michigan Care Improvement Registry, however their identity will be anonymous. These facts will allow the state to track the growing obesity problem.
Another benefit from this process is that the children will be in the private care of a doctor when these numbers are obtained. They will be with their parents and the doctor is available to offer more advice. Other states have attempted to track these issues at school and send the information home with very little advice or tools to handle the problem. Supporters of the proposal believe this is the best way to insure parents understand and receive help.
It’s believed that much is misunderstood about obesity, body weight, and the BMI measurements. Many parents are unaware that their children may fall into a dangerous category. With this initiative in place, many are hoping the state’s obesity trend will change directions. If it’s required, and trained physicians are administering the tests, it may be a great combination to begin seeing positive results in this issue.
When the Governor of Michigan is dealing with such awful rates of obesity in his state, it’s refreshing to see a step of action. It may be viewed as insensitive or forceful, but clearly no previous, less invasive tactic, has worked. The residents of Michigan and many other states are suffering from a disorder that can be cured. When a condition is so debilitating, yet curable, why shouldn’t we all be more aggressive?
Via: MSNBC