Arkansas Takes a Step Toward Healthier Children

In 2004 Arkansas became the first state, and remains the only state, in the United States to require mandatory testing of public school students BMI’s and to send the results home their parents. Unlike the adult test which classifies adults as underweight, normal, overweight or obese, the childhood test classifies the children as underweight, normal, overweight or at risk for becoming overweight, and gives their parents a percentage of their peers that they weigh more/less than.

I applaud Arkansas Governor, Mike Huckabee’s, initiative in this matter. Huckabee, has himself, lost 100 lbs, after being diagnosed with diabetes. In reports released today, Arkansas reveals a decrease in childhood obesity rates from 38.1% to 37.5%. Which is an admirable feet. The report also suggests that more physical activity should be introduced to children within the public school system and more healthy food should be made available to the public.

Strangely, I am not a proponent of required weighing of public school children, I think the experience can be traumatic when done improperly, and although I’m sure great steps have been taken within the public school systems to make the procedure as confidential and trauma free as possible, the fact remains that children can be mean, and sometimes so can parents. I’m glad that their efforts to curb obesity have been successful though, and hope they can continue to focus on this ever growing problem. I very much appreciate the states suggestions of increased mandatory physical activity within the school system and making healthier foods more widely available. I actually think that it’s sort of strange that this program has been going on for two years, and these suggestions are just now being made. But, better late than never. In my opinion these suggestions should have been the first step toward improving Arkansas’ health, and perhaps weighing should have come later.

My hope is that Arkansas efforts continue to influence their communities, as children and parents make healthy eating and adequate exercise a priority. Hopefully more states will make the health of it’s citizens the same kind of priority that Arkansas has.


Find out Your BMI
Arkansas Agressive on Childhood Obesity