PA Health Department Study Shows 18 Percent of 8th Graders Overweight (Press Release)

Yahoo Finance ^ | 2/4/2004

[Born Conservative]

I am posting this after reading the PA message board today. Apparently, our state government, headed by none other than Fast Eddy Rendell, is planning on mandatory BMI measurements on all of our children, and notifying parents if our child/children are outside the normal range. According to the message postings on the PA board, this is going to start next school year.

As an RN, I certainly recognize the problem of obesity (as well as the "co-morbid" conditions that accompany it, such as Type II Diabetes, Hypertension, etc.), but schools are for EDUCATION, and physicians are for HEALTH CARE. If the schools want to approach this issue from an education angle (i.e. teaching proper eating and the importance of exercise in Health class), I have no problem with it. But this is crossing a line over which they don't belong. Thoughts anyone?

[Born Conservative]

Intrusive PA Screwls ping...

[cyborg]

really none of their damned business

[WhyisaTexasgirlinPA]

Maybe fast Eddie should have his BMI checked......

[Born Conservative]

We can demand that he releases his BMI when he's up for re-election; sort of like Dubya having to release his medical records from when he was in the Guard.

[WhyisaTexasgirlinPA]

My son has lost weight since getting away from the stresses of middle school.......... he's eating better and working out.....much happier and healthier.........

[sneakers]

bump

[mountaineer]

another 17 percent are at risk of being overweight.

Actually, we're all "at risk" of being overweight, if we pig out on chicken wings and cold cuts on a daily basis like Gov. Rendell, that is!

[ladylib]

BMI measurements have been tried elsewhere and they are not popular with students or parents.

But what does that matter? The schools are better parents than the parents and parents should just get used to it.

[ladylib]

So, you think the schools' mission is to impart academic knowledge? Wherever did you get that idea?/sarcasm.

[Born Conservative]

But what does that matter? The schools are better parents than the parents and parents should just get used to it.

Did you forget to add "/sarcasm" to your comment?

[ladylib]

Yes.

[pubmom]

Fast Eddie and the policies of his administration are not sitting well with the educators I work with on a regular basis. They sneer at his claim of being "The Education Governor."

I told them not to blame me, I didn't vote for him.

As I wrote on the state message board, this has already angered one of the officers of another PTA within our district. It will have a similar effect on others. I have no idea what the National or State PTA, who never met a busybody program they didn't love, will say about this. My guess is they'll be supportive of this wretched mandate. To be fair, I should probably contact them directly for the answer.

Thus far PTA on a district, state and national level has failed to impress me. Let me just add that I'm speaking as a local unit President.

PTA supports the policies of the Democratic party, make no mistake about that.

[Born Conservative]

My wife works in an elementary school, and the teachers were all gung ho at election time to get Fast Eddy into office. The novelty soon wore off once they saw what he was all about (it didn't take long), and most of the teachers are now sorry they supported him. Of course, my wife got the last laugh on this one...

[twigs]

I'm really glad to hear that he is doing so well!

[WhyisaTexasgirlinPA]

Thanks Twigs...... he is thriving! It is a big change from September..........

[twigs]

BTW, have you heard anything about the water being a potential reason for lower test scores in the Quakertown SD? I friend and neighbor of ours looked at homes in the Quakertown area and heard that, so they went up to Lower Macungie and bought a home. I hadn't heard of that before she said something. She said the EPA was going to test the water to see if anything in the system points to lower test scores.

[twigs]

I'm so glad to hear it. But then, he's now got a GREAT teacher and one who cares for him than any other person--well, earthly speaking!

[WhyisaTexasgirlinPA]

Pubmom, when we were in Texas the local schools had dropped their affiliation with the national PTA - partially because they didn't want to pay dues and partially because they felt it just wasn't necessary to be a part of that group.

Our local district here in PA did the same thing - PTO (Parent Teacher Organization) still does the fund raising for the school and even hosts some seminars but without the national involvement -

Since you are a member, what benefit does PTA have for the school?

[WhyisaTexasgirlinPA]

What a nice thing to say! Thank you!