Boy Scouts ban obese kids from Jamboree
downsizinghoss
Posts: 1,035 Member
in Chit-Chat
Ok, I have no problem with kids not being put at risk. But I am an Eagle Scout. I went to scouting events on three continents. Completed a couple of 50 milers, I taught how to build stuff like monkey bridges, and even spent a summer in the Keys as a camp counselor.
I NEVER would have met this criteria as a kid. I was heavy, but fit. BMI is not a good measure of ability.
Kids will self select. Stress what is going to take place and let them determine if they are up to the challenge. If not, then pull them to the side and don't let them do a particular activity. But only if it is a safety issue.
If any kid needs to be challenged physically it is them.
http://conscienhealth.org/2013/07/boy-scouts-ban-obesity-from-their-jamboree/
Boy Scouts Ban Obesity from Their Jamboree
At their quadrennial jamboree, the Boy Scouts banned obesity this year. Saying they designed this year’s event to be too physically demanding for boys with obesity, they published guidelines saying that no one with a BMI above 40 would be allowed to participate. Those with a BMI between 32 and 40 are subject to approval by the Jamboree Medical Staff, based on a detailed medical history. All others simply needed clearance from their physician, with a provision that those with a history of serious medical problems may be required to submit further documentation.
Speaking for the Scouts, Dan McCarthy asserted that their requirement “has motivated an enormous return in terms of both kids and adults getting serious about improving their health.” Scout spokesman Deron Smith stated that most of those who could not meet the requirements “self-selected and chose not to apply.”
Experts on obesity and physical fitness were not enthusiastic about the Scouts’ policy. Granting that the Scouts were on solid ground in protecting boys from activities that would not be medically safe, most called for activities that would fit the capabilities of boys at all levels.
The Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) issued a statement expressing strong disagreement with this exclusion because it further perpetuates weight bias against children affected by the disease of obesity.
“The BMI requirement is limiting physical activity for those needing it most and goes against the BSA’s own core value of ‘developing personal fitness.’ The opportunity to participate in the jamboree and increase one’s physical fitness should not be limited to a certain population of Scouts,” said Joe Nadglowski, OAC President and CEO.
Scott Kahan, Director of the Stop Obesity Alliance at George Washington University, commented:
Frankly, my most immediate reaction is thinking about several patients of mine who would be perfect fits for this sort of activity but would be excluded due to their weight. I hate thinking about them missing out on such an exciting opportunity, but it’s particularly heartbreaking to think about how they would feel when told that they’re too fat to participate.
I’m quite certain the exclusion wouldn’t motivate them to lose weight; rather, it would likely make them want to cower in a corner somewhere and wish they were invisible. There is a somewhat pervasive, but misguided, belief that shaming and blaming motivates people to change. It doesn’t; it just makes them feel bad and often paralyzes change. We’ve been essentially ‘making fun of the fat kid’ since time immemorial, and childhood obesity rates have only increased.
Francesca Zavacky of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance pointed out:
PE teachers work at meeting students where they are at and improving their skills. Schools don’t exclude any children from physical education, and activities are modified to meet the developmental level of all children.
Robert Lustig, a well-known pediatric endocrinologist at UC San Francisco, was more blunt. “This is garbage,” he said. He pointed out that the thinking behind singling out kids with obesity is flawed:
One in five people with obesity are completely metabolically normal. They have no metabolic disease, will live a completely normal life, live to a completely normal age, and not cost the taxpayer anything. They’re just fat.
Conversely, up to 40% of the normal-weight population — including teens — have the same metabolic dysfunctions of obese people. They develop Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, arthritis and depression just as many obese people do. And they get to go to the Jamboree. That’s just not fair.
We’ve made considerable progress promoting fun physical activity for people of all abilities. Marginalizing children with limitations doesn’t help, it hurts.
Boy Scouts count respect among their twelve core values. It’s time to live up to it.
I NEVER would have met this criteria as a kid. I was heavy, but fit. BMI is not a good measure of ability.
Kids will self select. Stress what is going to take place and let them determine if they are up to the challenge. If not, then pull them to the side and don't let them do a particular activity. But only if it is a safety issue.
If any kid needs to be challenged physically it is them.
http://conscienhealth.org/2013/07/boy-scouts-ban-obesity-from-their-jamboree/
Boy Scouts Ban Obesity from Their Jamboree
At their quadrennial jamboree, the Boy Scouts banned obesity this year. Saying they designed this year’s event to be too physically demanding for boys with obesity, they published guidelines saying that no one with a BMI above 40 would be allowed to participate. Those with a BMI between 32 and 40 are subject to approval by the Jamboree Medical Staff, based on a detailed medical history. All others simply needed clearance from their physician, with a provision that those with a history of serious medical problems may be required to submit further documentation.
Speaking for the Scouts, Dan McCarthy asserted that their requirement “has motivated an enormous return in terms of both kids and adults getting serious about improving their health.” Scout spokesman Deron Smith stated that most of those who could not meet the requirements “self-selected and chose not to apply.”
Experts on obesity and physical fitness were not enthusiastic about the Scouts’ policy. Granting that the Scouts were on solid ground in protecting boys from activities that would not be medically safe, most called for activities that would fit the capabilities of boys at all levels.
The Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) issued a statement expressing strong disagreement with this exclusion because it further perpetuates weight bias against children affected by the disease of obesity.
“The BMI requirement is limiting physical activity for those needing it most and goes against the BSA’s own core value of ‘developing personal fitness.’ The opportunity to participate in the jamboree and increase one’s physical fitness should not be limited to a certain population of Scouts,” said Joe Nadglowski, OAC President and CEO.
Scott Kahan, Director of the Stop Obesity Alliance at George Washington University, commented:
Frankly, my most immediate reaction is thinking about several patients of mine who would be perfect fits for this sort of activity but would be excluded due to their weight. I hate thinking about them missing out on such an exciting opportunity, but it’s particularly heartbreaking to think about how they would feel when told that they’re too fat to participate.
I’m quite certain the exclusion wouldn’t motivate them to lose weight; rather, it would likely make them want to cower in a corner somewhere and wish they were invisible. There is a somewhat pervasive, but misguided, belief that shaming and blaming motivates people to change. It doesn’t; it just makes them feel bad and often paralyzes change. We’ve been essentially ‘making fun of the fat kid’ since time immemorial, and childhood obesity rates have only increased.
Francesca Zavacky of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance pointed out:
PE teachers work at meeting students where they are at and improving their skills. Schools don’t exclude any children from physical education, and activities are modified to meet the developmental level of all children.
Robert Lustig, a well-known pediatric endocrinologist at UC San Francisco, was more blunt. “This is garbage,” he said. He pointed out that the thinking behind singling out kids with obesity is flawed:
One in five people with obesity are completely metabolically normal. They have no metabolic disease, will live a completely normal life, live to a completely normal age, and not cost the taxpayer anything. They’re just fat.
Conversely, up to 40% of the normal-weight population — including teens — have the same metabolic dysfunctions of obese people. They develop Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, arthritis and depression just as many obese people do. And they get to go to the Jamboree. That’s just not fair.
We’ve made considerable progress promoting fun physical activity for people of all abilities. Marginalizing children with limitations doesn’t help, it hurts.
Boy Scouts count respect among their twelve core values. It’s time to live up to it.
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Replies
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This is another example of well meaning, but uninformed, people doing more harm than good. If the physical challenges are really that challenging then the only reasonable way to make the determination is to require a physical fitness evaluation. BMI is going to cut out some very fit but muscular kids. That said, I don't think excluding kids from the entire event makes any sense whatsoever.0
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I think this is really sad, honestly....0
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Oh, hell no. That's it. I'm not buying any more of their ratty popcorn!0
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I think this is really sad, honestly....
Yep, it is.
I hope this decision is driven by insurance liability issues rather than anything else...0 -
another reason to add to the list of why the boy scouts of america is an absolutely worthless **** organization now.0
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Boo, BSA.
Boo.
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A lot of skinny kids are in just as bad a shape... Maybe they should use an actual fitness test instead of judging people based only on their size.0
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hmm, kevin? where are u?0
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If they were really concerned about the health of the kids, wouldn't they add more activities that all can enjoy so the kids are actually getting out and BEING active?
What a messed up organization..0 -
What the heck? The BSA's mission should be to help develop boys into good men, with good male role models. Not throw out the ones that don't make the cut.
If they are banning anyone, they should ban the morbidly obese adults, not the kids.
Looking back, all my troop masters as a kid were obese. They seemed to be able to contribute, somehow.0 -
what a crock.0
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This makes me genuinely sad; my brother may have always been a bit of a skinny git but my step-dad never was and he's still a scout leader. This comes at the heels of okaying gay scouts... what just happened? Is there a requisite level of discrimination required? /cynic0
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How big would a kid have to be to have a BMI over 40?0
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If they were really concerned about the health of the kids, wouldn't they add more activities that all can enjoy so the kids are actually getting out and BEING active?
What a messed up organization..
I completely agree. If they want to help improve the kids' health, then design activities that they can do and get some exercise.0 -
So if they can't discriminate against gay kids, then they are going to discriminate against the fat kids?? :huh: :noway:
Don't they realize that 'physically demanding' is what these kids need????0 -
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That stinks..all kids should be given the chance to see if they can do the challenges..not be kicked out without trying.0
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How big would a kid have to be to have a BMI over 40?
Roughly 225lbs at 5' 3'.0 -
Seriously... the Boy Scouts of America is in dire need of some new leadership!!0
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I would think a clearance for an MD would be enough. It would absolve the boyscouts of any liability. Was there some sort of law suit why did this happen?
Too bad they are preventing heavy kids from being active.0 -
Ridiculous.
Like I said on hoss' profile - I was an obese boy scout and I never had any problem with the activities. I had a tougher time finding a boy scout shirt that fit :laugh:
They are excluding the people who most need this (for the fitness and camaraderie) and they are basing it off an arbitrarily set number, from an inherently flawed system.
Are the boy scout leaders/head office subject to these same rules? :grumble:0 -
This is ridiculous and discrimination in my mind. So much for helping the child obeseity epidemic!
Basically the message is our club is not for fat kids! Nice values to exploit! NOT!
Karen0 -
Why wouldn't they just require all the kids to have a physical done prior to the Jamboree? That's what they have to do to play sports in school. Ridiculous.0
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Lol, well they got away with banning gays for years. Now they have something new to justify discrimination. They'll change their minds when revenue and sponsorship is pulled again, just like when it was pulled for adhering to a no gay policy.
A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
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Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition0 -
I follow their intentions...it's a difficult spot the organization is in...
...but BMI?!? C'mon...there is (IMHO) no less meaningful popular metric to determine fitness than BMI. Self-selecting seems like a much better approach. I would even rather see some kind of actual physical ability testing instead of BMI (although will acknowledge that this has its issues too).0 -
How big would a kid have to be to have a BMI over 40?
Roughly 225lbs at 5' 3'.
Ah I was curious because I'm not familiar with the BMI's of kids and all the charts looked scary.0 -
This is just one more nail in BSA's coffin. They hurt themselves when they got nosey about peoples sexual preference, and now they've taken this step to alienate kids. My son wouldn't be directly excluded under this policy but some of his friends could be. I can't imagine him being okay with that.0
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You know... they could have just created two separate programs with different levels of physical demand. Then, the kids could opt in to the program they wanted to perform, get a special badge for whichever they complete, and then the more physically demanding program would be something the kids could train and strive for the next year.0
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I highly suspect this is motivated more by the BSA's fear of having to defend a law suit than it is by their desire to exclude kids. I'd be surprised to find any scout leaders who agree with this policy. However, that being said, BSA administration need to figure out a way to limit their liability while still including all boys who want to participate. I have an overweight child who loves scouts & loves his leaders. He has learned to love camping and hiking through the leaders that he looks up to. I encourage him to go on all the outings because it is such a great opportunity for exercise and it has been an immese confidence builder for him. If he were to be exclude for weight, I'm afraid he would quit and never go back out of humiliation. No one wants that!0
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Hey, they arent allowed to discriminate against gays anymore. Gotta exclude someone amirite?0
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