Should govt. keep track of how fat our children are?
(PHOTO CREDIT: THINKSTOCK)
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
The government might soon be in charge of tracking how fat or skinny American children are.
Under the Healthy Choices Act - states would receive federal grants to track the body mass index of children ages two through 18 years old. The bill would require doctors in these states to collect this information and then pass it on to the state government... which would in turn pass it along to the feds.
The bill says that federal officials would use this data to identify obesity trends in different parts of the country... and how those trends change depending on gender and socioeconomic status.
Also, if a child's body mass index is greater than the 95th percentile, the bill requires the state to give the parents information on how to lower it... and on local child obesity programs.
One of the bill's sponsors - Democratic Congressman Ron Kind from Wisconsin - tells Cybercast news service that no one would be forced to come into their doctor to get their body mass index tested.
It would be taken when the child is at the doctor for a regular visit. The bill's sponsors also point out that any data collected will not include the patients' names.
This is all part of the larger measure that funds several programs and introduces new regulations meant to reduce obesity. Many would argue this is long-past due... with One-third of all U.S. children and two-thirds of all adults either obese or overweight.
Being fat also means being more likely to have everything from diabetes to heart disease to some kinds of cancer. And the costs of treating those things affect us all.
Here’s my question to you: Should the government start keeping track of how fat our children are?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Donna in Illinois writes:
The federal government already has too much control and they still want to be in control of every aspect of our lives. Here's an idea: keep track of the federal deficit and spend more time on important issues, i.e. jobs, the economy, immigration reform and cutting spending.
Rob writes:
Absolutely. First, there's nothing wrong with collecting some relevant anonymous data and second, it's literally a "growing" problem. I'd think there'd be more outrage if the government were doing nothing about it.
June writes:
No they should not. My daughter is overweight but it's due to a thyroid problem. The doctors kept saying she was overweight and put her on diets, then after 15 years they finally listened and found she had a thyroid problem. The government has too much control over our lives as it is. Enough is enough!
Steve writes:
Initially I would think no, but much like regulating the stock market, the free market has shown it cannot be trusted to take care of itself in matters of health and obesity. I think it's a good thing for the government to step in to help the U.S., which is becoming the fattest and unhealthiest country on Earth.
Frankie writes:
No. They should keep track of what schools feed children. Ever since Reagan tried to have ketchup count as a vegetable in school lunches, things have gone downhill.
Tara in Texas writes:
No. The government can not even keep track of who is in this country legally, much less trying to keep track of children's weight. Parents are the ones that need to step up to the plate. It is their children, not the government's children, whose health is at risk.
Sarah in Denver writes:
No. Hell, no! My body, my kid's body, my business! This is just another step toward the government telling us where, what, when, and how to eat. Stop the food police now!
@jackcafferty on Twitter
I love it Jack. Fat Cats monitoring fat children. Only in America.
Not really, but since we have our current president and congress dedicated to taking away our personal freedoms, responsibility and money, they now consider it their business, constituion be damned. Obama is a marxist.
tampa, fl since the government can see them from space already, why bother?
What nonsense! Government distorts everything it touches, so leave the kids alone! Government is only succeeding into turning our nation into a land of do-nothings and bottom-feeders! Perhaps politicians should learn from those that first established this country, and choose HANDS OFF!
Absolutely not. Overweight children need a positive motivation and
not a punitive one. Bodies often seek their own ideal weight in due
time. Don't mess with mother nature.
If the taxpayers have the chance of paying for healthcare costs, then yes wiegh absolutely should be tracked and those overweight should also be required to enroll in a weigh control plan.
Well, it appears they have access to just about everything else, so why not? I'd like to apply for a job working for the Carb Czar ....
No, but I think that passing an annual government set physical fitness test should result in a lower income tax. How nice would it be to get a 3% tax break just for taking care of ourselves? You could even offer tax breaks for getting considerably closer to passing the test. That way people who are way out of shape can start to reap rewards for their effort.
(St. Louis, Mo.)
Yeh, the government should keep track of our kids height, weight, medical history, favorite movies, tv shows, friends... well... "Mr. Government" should just know EVERYTHING about our kids! Com'on, Jack, give me a break.
Here's a novel idea: the government should try real hard to "do THEIR job"... stop spending OUR money and stay the hell OUT OF OUR BUSINESS! WE should be keeping track of how "FAT" our government is becoming! (talk about needing to "go on a diet"!!??)
No, the government should keep track of how fat they are, like their HEADS! They're all, "Fat Heads"!
I don't have children but I was a somewhat overweight kid and currently an overweight adult.. I believe anything that can be done to promote healthy fit children (or adults) cannot be bad. I don't think the government should so much keep track of how fat the kids are, but I have no problem with them trying to push healthy eating in the schools. Also, a healthy physical education program and to teach them about proper nutrition.
Jack: Yes!! A nation of fat kids cost billions in medical bills. A nation of fat kids do not make good soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines. A nation of fat kids brings depression, colthes issues at an early age, and the badging from the skinny kids is terrible. It is true that beauty is more than just skin deep, but by the time fat kids find this out they have heart problems and host of other medical problems.
Yes. If parents parents don't know/care enough, someone should. Our taxes will have to pay for their health care when they are in nursing homes, hospitals, & needing expensive medication. There's nothing like an ounce of prevention now.
Well, Jack, SOMEONE has to watch how fat our kids are getting! I'm from Oklahoma – who is next to the BOTTOM on the list of unhealthy, obese children so I very much hope someone...besides me...is watching how fat my GRANDchildren are getting!! When I was a child, we were outside playing, running, jumping...but then we didn't have computers, video games, or 24-hour cartoon channels! Cartoons were shown only on Saturday mornings!! So, to do my part, my "GRANDS" get WiFit games, trampolines, basketball goals, etc., for their birthdays! Love ya Jack!!
The government should keep track of over weight kids as a public health problem. If Public Health professionals keep statistics on transmissible illnesses, why not obesity. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to understand that fat kids lead to fat adults, and these adults are at risk for all kinds of health problems like heart disease, stoke and diabetes. Obesity is currently being recognised as an epidemic. It's about time we end the talk and do something about it.
It depends. How much are they going to tax us to create the new agency responsible for the monitoring?
It may be a good idea because somewhere in the future it is inevitable we will have a public paid health care system.
Given that, serious disease feeds on the over fed. It seems it would be a cost reduction plan for now and tomorrow to start addressing those accumulating and storing fat.
Let us not pass on the cost to our fat children and our fat grandchildren.
Absolutely N O T
David
A little bit more time wasted on something that will mean absolutely nothing. Sure, if they want to. However, they cannot change things by keeping track. Where's Jack Kennedy and his Presidential Council on Physical Fitness? That's what we need, gym classes, more sports available, tai chi in the park, that kind of stuff.
No. The government can not even keep tack of who is in this country legally much less trying to keep track of childrens weight.. Parents are the ones that need to step up to the plate. It is their children not the governments children who's health is at risk.
It is their paren's business, jack. not government's.
It would be good if someone kept track of how fat our children are, but my preference would be that their parents take that responsibility (which they have shirked by allowing them to get fat in the first place). But no, the federal government should not be keeping track of fat children.
Maybe we should be keeping track of how fat the fat cats in Washington are getting. There are alot of over weight congressmen eating on our dime.
I believe that the government should keep track of what additives are put in our food that causes obesity....steroids for example.
Absolutely not! The Government should provide National Security, in other words "Secure our Borders", National Defence, in other words Secure our Borders and provide for the well being of its citizens, In other words Secure our borders so jobs and benifits are for our citizens, not for everyone else in the world!
Fat!? The only fat that needs to be controlled is the fat bank acounts of the members of this Congress and future Congresspeople.
No! The government doesn't need to meddle in our lives!
Honestly, The Feds need to keep track of how FAT the Politicians , CEOs , and Corporations are! More Regulation and More Middle n working class Legislation Are needed.......................Not more BIG BROTHER playing Rich Parent , distracting us with Surgeon General labels , magic tricks, and Great Speeches. Instead of worrying how fat the kids are and whos shopping at Bass Pro Shops , worry about WHOS SEEKING WORK , but Cant find any!!!!!
In the meantime , more Cigarettes are bad, Fried Food is bad, Cant drink Soda or Milkshakes..............................Eat Granola Oatmeal , and Drink Bottled water at 5 bucks a pop B.S.
Sure. The health of our people, define us, as a nation.
if parents don't care for their children properly, then they should be called on the carpet about it, or they should be barred from having children in the first place, given the world is overpopulated, with humans.
Absolutely, if the government is going to end up paying for their health care, which the health care bill facilitates, then they would be remiss in minding how my taxes are spent if they don't monitor this as well as anything else that may impact spending on health care.
Aren't we all just tickled pink by the door we have opened?
Yes, jack, the federal government should keep statistics on how obese our children are in order to formulate strategies to combat obesity and promote general health. Obesity is a serious disease epidemic that is costing all of us money directly and indirectly. Our children are our future and the future of our nation and we need to take steps to preserve America's future.
Jack Cafferty that is a perfect excuse for the federal government to take a DNA swab along with fingerprints of the children they can later use to prosecute them with. Send off a memo to US Justice Dept., I'm certain they would be happy to receive your suggestion and implement it.
Obeseity is a major problem. The schools should keep track of weight and advise parents when a child needs weight control.
Well they will, just to squeeze more money, it doesn't matter what we think.
Fat kids versus FAT CATS in Washington!!
I'd like to see them spend the money and investigate all the spouses of Senators and Congressmen and tally up those with family members involved in real estate,like realtors, brokers, speculators, mortgage lending, investment properties, etc.
Yes it is time for the government to start tracking the BMI of overweight children and to provide suggestions to parents. It is clear that many parents need to get this type of push from the government sense many of them do not take the necessary action on their own. Part of the reason for a government is to protect citizens from themselves when necessary. As a matter of fact our family doctor has been collecting this information for a while already. The company she works for just has not so far been passing the information along to the state government. It has only so far been used by the doctor in counselling parents on measures to take when the BMI gets to high. Maybe this will get our country more health conscious.
heck no jack unless we just want to turn kids over to the government to raise from baby to 18 that wopuld be the only reason we are getting closer to a nanny and socialist state and movign away from the good old u.s.a as we grew up having paretns are and should be responsible for their own kids not the govt waht's next they tell us we must drive a small car
Not to worry. At the rate government is going; starvation will cure the problem.
Jack, The government needs to have some idea of what is happening within America.
I continue to believe the food we eat is filled with "stuff" that is not fit for human consumption. Jack, there is a meat distribution company that advertises around NYC that claims most of the meat we eat is filled with all kinds of gelatin. Do you know if what we consume is close to being the real thing?
Joe, Binghamton, NY
Nope .What they Should do is stop allowing the fast food industry from intentionally poisoning our children as well as adults with high sodium high fat foods being peddeled like so much crack cocaine.
I realize we are all guilty of going to these businesses but i think hiring the fox to guard the henhouse is a mistake.
Jack,
I don't like the sound of this. Especially when the person sponsoring the bill says that States would give parents information on how to lower their child's BMI if it's to high. Then turns around and says parents names won't be included in the data collected. I know that obesity is a problem that needs to be addressed for both kids and adults, but this bill smells like rotten fish.
So our government couldn't even keep track of all that stimulus money to give us an honest answer as to where it all went, but they now want to start keeping track of how fat our children are? Good luck with that one.
Craig
North Beach, MD
Jack: I don't think that the government should start keeping track of how obese our childern are---but I do believe that parents need to start accepting responsibility for their children's health. As the doctor says, "pay me now--or pay me later--but you will pay."
If we are going to be a real socilaist, communist or Marxist country, then yes.
On one hand it sounds wrong. But on the other we need to stop from making our children super sized in every way.
I do not like the idea of big brother having doctors report our children's weight to the gov't. We already know that there is a obesity problem. I think the it would be a waste of time and money and invasion of privacy. The money would be better spent on teaching our children in school the health threats of being overweight. Plus we need to teach better eating habits and having more physical activities in school.
Yes Jack, but that data alone is not enough to reveal the problem, let alone lead us to a cure, without also keeping track of what corporations are feeding us. Some of the garbage that "fast food" stands and even "food" stores sell under the name "food" should not be fed to animals. What does it mean when the items are called "pork toppings," buttery sause" or "honey suace," or so forth? It means "Fat kids," and it should not be alloud to be sold as food!
Jack,
This is actually a good idea, if the government researchers can find a way to turn the data into an actionable program. They will likely learn that many Americans have never really learned how to cook and prepare healthy meals; rather, their nutrients come from a box, can, or drive-through window.
Rick,
Medina,OH
This is an area that is part of parental responsibility. The schools already have classes on health. So I don't see any noticable effect the government could have in this area.
No it violates peoples rights to privacy and confidentiality between doctor and patient. The government itself is overweight, fat and obese, the cost of which affects us all countless times more than pudgy little children.
Jack
We used to raise a garden (vegetables) when I was a kid. Those veggies were better than any big mac or taco. The parents of these kids are taking the easy way out – not cooking – and it's killing their kids too soon.
We can't fix stupid, no matter how much we'd like to.
A big, fat no!
Maria
Brunswick,MD
Why not Jack, the 150+ committees that are being created in the Obamacare legislation have to have something to do.
Dave
Laguna Niguel, CA
This is a trick question, right?
Maria
Brunswick,MD
Keep track of our children's weights? What are these politicians up to, and who exactly votes them into office? The next thing you know, they'll be asking all sorts of other information: how much television our children are watching, who they hang out with, what they're eating, what they're studying (they should know this), etc, etc. Why not focus on more pressing problems? I know of a few things that government money could be better spent on, like an oil spill that needs cleaning, more national security, and better security at our borders. Haven't most Americans cited that illegal immigration has been the highest and the top problem over the last two years? I think the government just has too much on it's plate right now without micro-managing our children's lives. Can you say "Political Diet?" I did.
Jester
Davis, CA
Yes, we need to do more to help our children and adults to live more healthy lives if they want it or not.
Here's an idea...how about these FATheads in Washington just keeping track of how FAT our National Debt is, how FAT the illegal immigration problem is and how FAT our medical insurance premiums are going to be in about two years!
Sounds like a good idea to me. When I was in elementary school back in the 1960's the kids had to take the Presidential Physical Fittness Test instituted by John F. Kennedy. It had several components and got kids to be active and ingrained life long physical fittness regimes into our lives. We didn't have all the sophisticated technological stuff kids have available today. To entertain ourselves we had to go outside and run around,ride bikes,and play games or organized sports. A delicate warning to the parents about how they are allowing their offspring to waste away just may do the trick.
Now that they stopped giving grants to measure ketchup flow they need another useless way to waste our money.
David, las Vegas
No the government should not be tracking fat kids. The government should be trimming the fat from the banks, wall street, and corporate fat cats who have polluted and bankrupted this counrty. BP is destroying the gulf coast, Exxon has never paid any compensation after 20 years of litigation, wall street has made trillions and all obama and the dems can talk about is obesity. I am tired of do nothing phony politicians.
No. What they should be doing is monitoring what is going into our processed foods that is causing the problem.
I understand what they hope to accomplish, but I have a problem with this. If I knew for sure that this information was not being used to discriminate against obese people, I'd be all for it. And I am obese. I'm doing smart things and am doing by best to lose weight, but I'm afraid that if they pass this for obese children it won't be long before they keep the stats for adults and that, even though my doctor tells me it's best to lose weight slowly, I and many others, will be discriminated against and made second class citizens. So, I'm saying no, I don't think the government should do this. Any doctor who is good will do the intervention even without the government.
No. They should keep track of what schools feed children. Ever since Reagan tried to have ketchup count as a vegetable in school lunches, things have gone downhill.
Our children are fat because the government subsidizes corporations which create mono-culture cheap food. Heavily advertised, this cheap food is attractive, void of nutrition and did I say "Dollar Meal?". The subsidies, in turn, falsely portray healthy real food as more expensive. Add medical bills to the Dollar Meals, chips and soda, and the cheap food isn't so cheap. Greed, Jack, drives the American dream, iand s killing the kids.
You would think that the projections reporting that today’s children are destine to not live as long as their parents might make a difference. Unfortunately, most people think chemical concoctions like squirtable yogurt, snackable packables, juice boxes, 100 calorie packs, dollar meals, GMO corn and soy, and chicken nuggets are food. Fat kids statistically measures the failure of America's food industry and government and, yes, it’s better than building oversized coffins to put our young offspring when they eat themselves to death on food-like stuff pushed at them by our greedy food industry.
This is Mrs. Obama's main cause so it will probably happen but will just make people mad and want to eat more, so this is really a bad idea but go figure, they are full of bad ideas.
Westerville, Ohio
While I do not think any doctor should be required to pass information to the Federal Government, as this would be a violation of Doctor-Patient privilege, I do think that running a mile in seven minutes (Eight for the girls) should be a requirement to graduate from High School.
If it will help fight obesity in this country, then I'm all for it. Says the guy with no kids..
Yes. If you think there is something wrong with this then you are completely paranoid.
Lancaster, cal. If they are on welfer. yes. Because when I go to mcdonalds I see plenty of kids that need to go on A diet
I fear of what kind of can of worms this could open up. While its a serious issue on many levels, close monitoring may only lead to implementation of further specific taxation or other choice depriving policies down the road. More big brother behaviour. Not every kid is fat because they eat badly after all. I can see how this would be more imperative in a universal health care situation, but whereas America is still primarily private, I think its a bit much.
Jack,
This is just one more step in government control of our private lives. The best way to combat obesity is to take away the video games, IPODS and whatever else is worthless and boot their young asses outside for some exercise. By the way – I have noticed some members of Congress who need to exercise their bodies more than their mouths!
Al
Gorham, NH
Why not? They government already tracks all kinds of data for their various reports. The CDC, for example, monitors many health data. This would be just more info for epidemiology on early onset diabetes and other obesity-related problems.
sure...and the gov't should decide what and when we feed them, and how they dress, and what they watch on TV, and what Art they should be exposed to...stop wasting time with all that other stuff (governing) that they're not doing all that well anyway...try playing Mom and Dad to an entire Nation–yeah, that's a great idea...
Jack,we would be better served if we kept track of how fat those fat cat politicians get!
No, plain and simple.Thats about enough...The first republican in is going to trash the program, so why even start it.
Certainly, it's a great idea... seeing as doctors collect the information, it would be relatively low-cost, and that way you could allocate funding to the places that need it... My only concern is that some patients would persuade their doctors to "forget" to turn in their BMI forms. But I support the idea nonetheless.
Yes Jack I dont see anything wrong with keeping track of obesity in our children. We keep up with all kinds of health statistics, absolutely. Medicaid will end up picking up the tab for helth issues created by obesity.
Sorry... I'm from CO, the state with the lowest obesity rate in the nation.
The Federal Government already has too much control and they still want to be in control of every aspect of our lives. Here's an idea, keep track of the federal deficit and spend more time on important issues, i.e. jobs, the economy, immigration reform and cutting spending.
Oh, that's good. Let's have our "fat cat" politicians waste time, effort, resources and money over something everyone already knows...America is FAT and getting FATTER. Can't they focus on the issues that are IMPORTANT to the American people...more jobs, relief for those losing their homes, illegal immigrants, those with expired VISA's, and a hundred other things more important than obesity when they already know that 1/3 of our youth and 2/3 of adults are obese. Sounds like the sponsor is one of those who needs to lose his next election bid.
Some one has to, Jack, as obsesity among children is at an alarming rate and the parents do not seem to be doing anything about the problem.
Fast food, junk food, no P.E, in schools, inadequate lunch menus,
video games, computers, TV all lead to the problem.
When was the last time you saw children playing outside, running,
getting dirty, getting good physical exercise?
What happened to the parents of these children? OH, wait one minute, their are too busy taking care of themselves and their 'wannabe wants.'
As a parent, it is my responsibility to take care of my child and family, that includes feeding and teaching them what is good food – not JUNK FOOD! Maybe those parents need to return to Good Food 101 Classes!
obesity has a huge cost to society as well as to the children, and most parents aren't intentionally harming either. so yes, information should be given to them to help their child. if the parent is offended and chooses not to get help, that is, of course, their choice. but many of them are simply ignorant.
No. This is yet another example of stupid spending by nanny-state democrats as a substitute for holding parents acountable and responsible for their child's health and welfare. Not to mention that doctors already know better than Congress how to do their jobs and could do them better if the government got out of their offices and hospitals. I wonder which clause of the Constitution they'll cite as a mandate for the government to do this?
A recent network series highlighted our unhealthy eating habits, featuring a family whose Mom prepared such unhealthy meals it was shocking. She didn’t appear to know any better. Educating us all on proper eating habits isn’t a bad idea. The government keeping tabs on fat kids will just force the lunatics back out in the streets with their signs of "Obama = Hitler" and "Don't touch my Medicare."
1st. Children are not allowed to pray in school.
Teachers are not allowed to punish an unrulely child so the teachers have no authority over thir classroom
Parents can be brought up on charges for paddling their child taking a parents authority over their children away from them. Now the goverment is ready to tell you what your childred can and cannot eat. Even take out sodas and candy out of the school. There was always candy and soda's in school when I was growing up. When did our goverment start taking over and raising our children and who gave them the authority to do that. Why are children so disrespectful?? DAH Judy from Warren, Ohio
If they do, expect a 'fat tax' to be right behind it.
The government has too much on its plate now and it is not doing a good job with any of it. Leave the child's weight issues to the parents and their doctors. Doctors will let mothers know the risk of their child being overweight. If a child does not see a doctor on a regular basis we will not get their information anyway. Leave some things to parents. The government needs to find an oil well to cap off or something and stay out of our private lives.
The government can keep watching how fat our kids are getting while we watch how fat the federal deficit is getting. What a country.
Yes, of course. I can't wait to hear Republicans rail against it, claiming it threatens freedom and suggesting it be left for McDonalds and Burger King to self-regulate...
More nanny state from our Socialist President Obama.
Jack,
No we should leave that to the military. They have to depend on fit recruits.
Police, fire, security agencies, all have an interest in fit young people. So maybe the government could develop standards for fit human food. Like no chemicals shown to add to weight but not fitness. But, our corporations would not like that so it will not happen. You can just hear weeper-beck now.
Jack, Hell no, I do not want the Government involved in any aspect of my childs life. I will not allow my child to be indoctinated into the " obamavision " hopey changy sick liberal socialist crap. I want the government out of our lives whenever possible.
Only if the Doctors can't handle it.
If the parents aren't interested in feeding them correctly and getting them enough exercise, then no amount of literature is going to help.
Then there are some kids/adults that have other things wrong and diets will not help them.
It is a tough row to hoe, so to speak.
Yes then maybe they will stop feeding our kids crap for lunch and cutting the education budget. Our kids need to learn how and why they need to be healthy before they can get healthy. We don't pay taxes so our kids can be fat eaters and bottom feeders.
The government can't even keep tract of how fat they are. Maybe the government should start by keeping tract of the fat cops who are suppose to be protecting us. Obviously they do not understand the serve part.
Absolutley Jack they should keep track of fat our children are! Since the parents in this country are not doing there job then its the goverment's job to get involved to reduce childhood obseity which in my opinion is child abuse if you let your child become obsese! We all need to keep our children safe and healthy and have them eating right and healthy! Let's join our First Lady Michelle Obama in the fight against childhood obesity and maybe then our children will be safer and be able to live long, healthy and productive lives!
Scott Stodden (Freeport,Illinois)
This is insanity, but insanity is what drives socialists. It makes sense, though, if you plan on eventually pushing a single-payer health care plan to begin to attack the greatest cost factors (smoking and being fat). This is just the beginning of what the government will regulate about our lives because of the health care overhaul. Will someone please read the history of socialists governments and then try to be surprised by how they must regulate every dimension of life. This is setting the stage for the second American Revolution. It ain't gonna be pretty.
Not until they start tracking the weight of our representatives. What they should do is restrict the advertising that is directed at children. I have a young child and I watch television with her. The amount of food advertising aimed at the children is ridiculous and none of the food is good for them.
Jack,
Our corrupt government can't even keep track of there own @SS, how can we expect to to keep track of someone else's.
Carl, I live in the corrupt state of Illinois
I would be one of the easiest tasks the government ever undertook, if they start keeping track of how fat our kids are! They would just need to send out people with digital cameras to any mall on any given Saturday, and photograph and count the kids. They are ALL getting too fat!
What I want to know is, what should the government do if they finally decide that too many kids are too fat? Because it is perfectly clear that the government will have to do something, because the parents are not taking responsibility, and many of the PARRENTS are way too fat themselves!
All I know is, when the aliens finally land on our planet we will be table ready! Hope they like "pork".
Ok to keep track but what happens next? Will the government try to regulate, tax or mandate what and how much we eat. I would like the educational aproach. We are a pretty smart nation.
Portland , OR
No, Jack...the government needs to keep track of the crap they're allowing to be put in our food...that's what is making our children fat. The poorer you are, the fatter you are...if that doesn't tell you that healthy food is not affordable or available to the lower income families, what will? It's time to hold the FDA responsible. It's also time to start subsidizing farmers who grow organically and sustainably, instead of big, corporate farms who use chemicals, growth hormones, and antibiotics in our food because the government allows it.
Yes, since government subsidizes the corn sweetner production that makes them fat in the first place.
Let me get this straight, an organization that has a 12 trillion dollar deficit and can't figure out spending wants to track children's weight?
That's a laugh!
I always wondered something. We are not allowed to make fun of fat people anymore. Prhaps we need to be less politically correct so they can look at themselfs and say, we need to lose weight. Also, why is eating the wrong foods and too much of the food is a disease. Stupidity is not a disease is is a state of mind.
Gee Jack, do you think I can get a Federal grant to check to see if the Sun sets every day? Or perhaps to double check each day that water still runs down hill? It is just inane to waste money on checking the kid’s weight.
Let's just take the fat out of the government.
Why keep track? They can look and see.
It's just another government study. You think something will come of it? Come on, Jack, you're the one who always says government studies, panels etc are useless. This one is no different.
the government subsidizes this crap(junk food) and make it easier to buy than healthy food and now they should clean up this obesity crisis.
Not really but parents need to keep a good eye on the weight of their children. Sadly a lot of the problem begins with the food served at home and in schools. Trends do matter, we are what we eat and obese kids aren't healthy mentally or physically.
The government has the responsibility to provide information and education to the masses about healthy lifestyle choices, and govern school food programs to the extent federal money is involved. However, if they information is provided and parents choice to make poor choices the government can't take over parenting as well. They have enough to do poorly as it is.
Yes, lets get all the names of all the fat kids, then we can round them up like the cattle they are and hurl them in to giant ovens.
In a word, no. Just because you can do a thing, doesn't mean you should. Education: yes. Tracking: (for any reason other than criminal) no. Katy in California
So what's your BMI, Jack?
Absolutely. Firstly, there's nothing wrong with collecting some relevant anonymous data and secondly, it's literally a "growing" problem. I'd think there'd be more outrage if the government were doing nothing about it (and rightly so). Anyone griping about something like this needs to get their head (and probably waistline) checked.
Absolutely not. It is not even feasible. We have Doctor, Patient, confidentiality and by no meas should we endeavor to open this flood gate.
I don't think it should be the governments job. It should be the parents job to keep their kids in relatively good shape. The government isn't there to see how much food the child is eating or how much exercise they are getting. All they have is the data on how much they weigh. The parents are over-feeding their kids and don't gave a hoot how much video games they play keeping them from exercising. If the government does do this, that's just one more thing that the government controls in our lives.
Initially I would think no, but much like regulating the stock market, the free market has shown in cannot be trusted to take care of itself in matters of health and obesity. I think its a good thing for the government to step in to help the US which is becoming the fattest and unhealthiest country on Earth.
Something have to be done, we are the embarrassment of the world when it comes to fitness..
Jack,
Big Brother at work!!
Seattle, WA
No they should not!.. My daughter is overweight but its due to a thyroid problem. The doctors kept saying she was overweight and put her on diets, then after 15 years they finally listened and found she had a thyroid problem. The goverment has to much control over our lives as it is. Enough is enough!
No. Hell, no! My body, my kid's body, my business! This is just another step toward the government telling us where, what, when, and how to eat. Stop the food police now!
Sarah
Denver, CO
Really? Don't we know whether we're fat or not? How about the amount of money that would be spend on this ridiculous bill be spent on subsidized gym memberships and personal trainers? Not a fan of subsidizing, but if they're determined to spend money on this, at least have it pay for results rather than just data!
One more layer of Big Brother coming dowm on the citizens! Hey, if my kid is skinny, do I get money for that?
Absolutely not. It is not even feasible. We have Doctor, Patient, confidentiality and by no means should we endeavor to open this flood gate.
Yes they should because the Federal Food and Drug Administration is responsible for the inspection of our foods. Perservatives used in some foods could be a direct contributor to our children's obesity and not all parents monitor/read what's in our food.
No, Jack. That's too creepy, intrusive and expensive. Outlaw High Fructose Corn Syrup instead. We didn't have this obesity problem until HFCS was added to every processed food.
A good pediatrician already keeps track of the weight and BMI of their patients, so this is not an added burden to them. We do need to be more open in counseling parents on child obesity. It is not the Doctors job to worry about offending people, but to encourage their health. Child obesity to me is a crime, as parents are apathetically decreasing the quality and length of their children's lives. Children do not control what is on the dinner table. If we want to reduce medical expenses, this is the way to start as obesity cost more than any other disease, and it is completely preventable. As a medical student, I plan on aggressively calling out my fat patients. I am not there to be their friends. It is not necessary for the govt to collect the data, as many organizations already do, but it is good to encourage primary care docs to more aggressively encourage lower BMIs.
No Jack. I just read the Constitution again. Can’t find anything regarding obesity tracking. Fire the idiots that came up with this one. Thanks.
Yes. This is a growing problem which needs all the attention possiblle.
Why should goverment have to take more than they already have in their hands? PARENT'S STEP UP! If your not properly teaching your child healthy eating, the fault is in your hands!
Asking if its the "Government's responsibility" makes it seem like there is another logical alternative. Nobody wants the government to do anything, but the reality is that we are entirely incapable of getting things done ourselves sometimes. Maybe if our parents would step up and take the lead in this matter, we wouldn't need Big Brother to hold our hand for once.
Why should tax payers pay for this information?
I'm sure that "Big Brother" Facebook has the skinny on everyone already.
No. It's up to the parents to keep track of their child's weight. Unfortunately, in many cases, the parents are fat too...who is going to keep track of them?
Nancy, Rochester, Michigan
No, it is not the responsibility of our government. The current trend is for our government to try to control everything. It is our individual responsibility to keep track of our children's health and to educate them on nutrition and exercise. When will we start to take responsibility? When the government stops trying to police everything we do!
Jack,
Please the federal govt can't even control how fat it is. Now they want to slim our kids down. trim the fat out of federal govt first and we'll take care of our kids.
The law claims that no one will know the names? Then how will they send them the literature if the kid is in the 95th percentile? SOMEONE'S not reading the bill again ... or it's illogical ... or they think we're stupid to believe names and addresses won't be involved.
This government can't wait to spend borrowed money, they're like a fat kid in a candy store!
Yes, the government should track obesity of children. We blame the government for everything else, why not blame them for our obese children. If people would handle obesity at home, the government wouldn't have to watch it.
Jack,
Can you say "Let's Spend More Money We Don't Have"!! When will these guys figure out that spending money we don't have is only going to put us at the bottom of the food chain.
Maybe I should run for congress or senate I've run my business for 11 year and still haven't paid myself, it sure would be nice to give myself a raise but if I did my electricity would be cut off and then I'd be out of business. Can we ask government officials to take a pay cut? We could but they'd vote no and then give themselves a raise.
These folks say that it isn't OK for law enforcement to ask folks for legal ID when they commit a crime in a border state that's under siege yet it's fine and dandy to ask for our HIPPA-protected information. I'm glad elections are coming up here in our socialist republic. It's time to change it back and fundamentally untransform our country.
Jack,
I think it's an excellent idea. If their weight had been controlled when they were children, we wouldn't have so many fatheads in Washington.
Ok! The government controls too much already. If parents are smart enough on parenting, and what is good or bad for their children, I dont' believe they should but in.
Fat is fat, and it doesn't take a genious to raise a child not to eat him/herself into oblivion. AND What about drugs? Where does it stop. It is about time parents rake responsibility for their children.
Sandy
Albany, NY
NO, there are enough people on tv, giving advise to anything body that will listen. The adminstration is trying to be all things to allo people and it can,t. It tis time for the people to stand up and do for them selves. Thjat include gettign their kids off their ass.
Can the government think of anymore pies to stick its fingers in? I would think that with the economy soaring out of control, immigration reform, terrorist threats etc. they have enough to do. If they decide to do this, some families will be afraid to take their children to the doctor for fear of government interference. This is a stupid idea. Yes the American people are overweight and so are our children. Perhaps if they stopped cutting school sports programs and gym classes we would see less fat kids!
No, they should spend what money they might have set aside for this program on healthy lunches for public school children. Have you seen school lunch offerings lately? French Fries, chicken nuggets, pizza, and of course, Bosco Sticks; cheese filled bread sticks. Good Lord! School cafeterias receive a little more than $2.50 to serve a decent meal. In order to make a profit it isn't surprising that many cafeterias offer ala carte lines with fries and preprocessed foods high in fat and sodium in order to break even.
Hi Jack: the government should make sure our food is safe and healthy. Also vegetables should be more widely available at fast food places and the goernment should make sure they're safe to eat. How about a casserole fast food? Otherwise people should mind their own business. thanks, Carol.
That's the stupidest thing I have ever heard. Why don't they just take the money "EARMARKED" for that bill and send it to the states and require them to establish physical education curriculum. Hey here's an idea they could even require the schools to provide nutritious lunches. Then we could simply watch the kids lose weight and become healthier and save all that research money.
Since when did the government become experts on "trimming the fat?"
Of course we should keep track of our fat children. Can you imagine how many people will now be employed in this new beaurocratic non-sense. Brings down unemployment and now more will be able to go to KFC.
While I applaud Mrs. Obama's concern for the health of our nation's children, it is NOT the government's problem! It's all a matter of personal choice as all that can be done at best is to educate about the many health risks obesity imposes. A program like that would be a waste of federal grants!
Jack,
We say we're fighting obesity, but in reality we're facilitating it through corn syrup subsidies and promotion of a food pyramid schockingly similar to the one used to fatten cattle. The Wall Street Journal , Wed, 5/2/2010, page A7 ran an article with a chart showing that despite eating less fat (reduction from 40.5% to 33.6%) and less protein (from 16.5% to 15.4%) but more (value added) carbohydrate (42.6% to 49.9%) as recommended by the USDA pyramid, we now have an epidemic of obesity, heart disease, and cancer. I'm so tired of being scammed for profit!
Big Foot (US Governent) needs to back off! Maybe if our food manufacturers and producers were held more responsible for the poisons they are adding to the foods which we consume, we'd be a healthier people. Many of those toxic chemicals that are added cause individuals to consume more as the body seeks the nurishment that is needed. Government needs to get their noses OUT of our personal business once and for all.
When oh when will this government snooping stop and the greatest fear is where will it ultimately take us? I have a 10 year old daughter and I resent that a doctor's appointment for her for which I pay will now collect information by direction of the Federal government regarding her body type and weight.......overweight profiling coming up?
Oh, I can hear it already! Now Obama wants to tell us what to eat and will probably tax us if our children are obese!
Personally, I am all for the government keeping track of the body mass index of our children. It is good information and they can bring awareness to certain areas of the country where obesity is higher than average and life expectancy lower than average. (Think of Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution.)
I don't believe for a minute that there is anything more to this than an attempt to make people aware of the problem so that they can be proactive and do something about it. Obesity is a HUGE problem in America (no pun intended).
Why doesn't the gov't. instead of having another studyput the funds to teach the parents nutrition & cooking classes. It's not just the poor that need help in this area. Too many children eat too much junk!! My goodness they sell cheese , crackers ,& sausage in one box..this is supposed to be your child's lunch...mega sodium...no wonder our youth are having hypertension. Instead of children having this junk namely their diet all the time,...have it on the rare occasion...so, it's more of a treat than your everyday diet!!!!! Once again this proves the adults aren't doing their job!!!! If they hve no idea what a healthy diet is how do you expect a 10 yr. old to make a wise choice!!!
Well Jack I think this is something we have needed for a while. Children or parents these days have proven they are not mature enough to make these decisions them selves. Government intervention is exactly what we need, hopefully they can do something with this info.
The government can't keep track of our money, how is it goin g to keep tarack of our children?
Judy from PA
Jack,
I'm a 35 year old male, some 10 years ago I decided to take a hard look at my eating habits and getting rid of Soda and other highly sugar based drinks out of my daily diet has helped keep me at my high school weight. Well, that and hitting the gym once in awhile.
Since most parents in the United States aren't keeping track of where their kids are after 10pm, let alone how fat they are, maybe some intervention is long over due. Why can't do parents find it difficult to tell 'not-so-little' Suzzy and Jonny to put down the Oreos and Yoo-hoo would help.
In a word "NO". It's a waste of my tax money.
Parents today need to take responsibility for raising their kids. I have to pay for child proof caps, get my alergy medicine from behind the counter, put up with oversized "cars" in the grocery store, listen to the temper tantrun while trying to have a quite dinner etc. because parents won't take the time & effort needed to raise their kids properly. And that includes getting off their bottoms and go outside and play instead of sitting around the TV. Wake up folks.
Yes, Jack! This is exactly what our country needs. We are in a state of crisis. We have obesity, borders that lack security, Banksters that are robbing the people of this country. It seems that the American people are fat and lazy- Leading to weak character. Remember that term all roads lead to Rome. It seems that at this rate, Washington D.C. will be the only peace of America that will remain on the 'World Map', the rest will belong to China and the other countries that seem to have control over such issues. In order to save this great nation we need to fight for a better America.
Why should we let our obese Congress tell our doctors how to deal with obesity? What will Congress do next, declare themselves to be our financial advisors?
Should the government get involved.?? . . how about citations to parents who allow their children to get obese ( unless a legitimate reason such as medical) Seems to me obesity is a form of child abuse.'
D O from Arlington, Texas
Yes, the government, in particular the Security Services, should be front and centre in the War against Fat People. After all, fat people present a clear biological threat to the health of the nation. Moreover, Fat people should be rounded up and concentrated in Special Camps, where they will then be tattooed so that they can be easily identified. There they will have a severely restricted diet and be forced to work. After all, as everyone knows, Fat People are lazy and just sap the strength of the Volk. With Fat People in camps, you will then be able to create the perfect American.
This administration should concern itself with how fat their budget is as well as the amount of fat between their ears.
The gov. could keep a statistical tab on obesity and provide generic health info to the population, but, there should be no way to trace the stats to any individual. Let me live and eat freely. Better 70 yrs of freedom than 80 yrs of slavery!
Jack, you had part of it right the first time. The parents should take away the child's fork. It's not the government's job to monitor obese children. It's the parents' responsibility to feed their children healthy meals while the kids are home, and the school's responsibility not to vend soda and candy or offer junk food in the lunch line. If everyone followed this, it would send a clear (monetary) message to junk food producers to stop making this stuff and offer healthier and more nutritious foods to everyone.
This is kind of stupid, but they're the blame in the first place. They let the food companies run rampant for the past 25 years with additives, grease and other stuff we don't need. To go further, local school districts replaced decent actually cooked school lunches with fast and highly processed foods because the kids wouldn't eat it to save money. Whatever happened to "eat what is put before you?" Couple that with some schools cutting out recess, video and pc games that are in the house and being fed highly processed food again at home because Momma won't and can't cook, the kid is going to be fat. Want to stop this problem? Parents need to take the entertainment away, start cooking and introduce the kids to actual football instead of Madden 2010.
No Jack. I just read the Constitution again. Can’t find anything regarding obesity tracking. Can we fire the clowns that came up with this one?
Sure why not, hopefully next they start bugging the idiots that get stuck on mountains every year hiking and the people that ride their bicycles in traffic. We all do things that are bad for us and I really wish the safety Nazis would stay out of other peoples business. Obesity is a problem for sure but the Government needs to stop trying to legislate free will out of existence.
So what you're saying is that the government wants to use my tax money to tell me that my child is fat. Well I never would have noticed that, Uncle Sam. Thanks for pointing it out. No, what should happen is more exercise programs being opened, school lunches being healthier, and family's being warned about the dangers of some foods. I mean come on. My vision is 20/20 with my glasses. I don't need a letter from the government to see obese people.
Should the government keep track of childhood obesity? Absolutely! We would consider our government negligent if we didn't keep track of any infectious diseases, environmental hazards or a malfunctioning consumer item. Yet the most dangerous situation our children face is poor nutrition and obesity. It is difficult to address because it identifies caregivers,who may have obesity problems of their own, as the perpetrators of the problem...So health professionals have avoided dealing with a problem that affects more than the child. We in the health profession have avoided this now over a generation. Type 2 diabetes is epidemic..and it will get worse ,along with it's comorbitities of heart disease, stroke, renal failure etc. If you want to reduce health care costs in the future...reduce obesity in our children now!
Dear Jack,
from gathering the information and respecting people's right to privacy and dignity by not including any names when gathering information, the the government can use this information to actually pin point if there are regional differences and why and sharing information back to States for recommendations. Numbers means a lot and it can show us also if people are getting healthy has it reduce our heatlhcare costs and if not we can then pinpoint where and why are healthcare costs high just as we can look at this bill as having our own specialists looking at all the data to adapt and bring change for more positive health care outcomes! As for me, I beleive in enjoying eating well which by the way does not mean to take away the good type of fat, reduce salt and sugar from the industrialized prepared foods, enjoy being outdoor, take vitamin D, fish oil, use linseed in food preparations and enjoy a good glass of red wine and good company, enjoy and appreciate living every moment!
Definate NO !! Our government can't watch their own weight..In fact they can't do much of anything lately except spend money they don't have. We need to just send them all to GITMO. Thanks, Mike
Horrors no, Jack. This could end being like 'death panels'.
Which is it, Jack? Big brother watching little brother or bigger boother watching big brother?
Doesn't this violate HIPPA laws? This has been studied until the cows came home (from school). We know why kids are fat and how to stop it. Parents just have to want to! There's something more to why they want this information. Maybe something more sinister maybe just a politician trying to look good.
NO! This is way too much bureaucratic invasion into private lives. Way over the top !!!
Has it occured to any of these people that the purpose of the government is to govern; not to nose into every little detail of peoples lives. No wonder nothing gets accomplished !
A good way to significantly cut the budget and deficit would be to get rid of these drones and their stupid ideas.
Who's the parent, me or the government? If you let government do all the decision making for you or your children you will pretty much let them raise you and your children. Is there anything I can do for myself or my children, anymore? Just because some people won't take care of their children, doesn't mean that the government needs to mandate every childs right to chose. What's left for me to do?
Jack, contrary to the opinions of all those 'patriots' who think the government meddles into way too much stuff and/or is trying to usurp all power while becoming some kind of totalarian rule, the government almost always does these things when they've become necessary. We are fat, and something needs to be done to pare that fat
When all else fails...as it almost always does these days...the feds come to our eternally grateful rescue....even as we deplore the intrusions.
Damn, I love this absurdly incompetent country!
I hate to say this, but it's KY, AL, MS, GA, SC (southern fried cookin') that has dumbed down most of the lazy parents in this country.
Check the obesity tables. Shame shame shame
If a parent doesn't teach a child how to survive they are failing and government should always step in to cases of child neglect.
I think the govrnment is trying to help,but it is difficult to help a nation of idiots. No,I think it is a lost cause,but I wish it could work. Gene
This epidemic needs the involvment of the federal and state government.
The checking of the BMI must be mandatory. Healthy kids and their families should be rewarded. If we fail to act now, we can always make the classroom chairs a little wider.
Los angeles
Children are future adults. It is necessary that they eat nutritional foods for their health, to also be able to study properly in school and avoid illness that they may grow up to be healthy adults. It is understandable that the government will be concerned about the health of children as the Health Board will also be concerned. Parents are the primary ones who should be concerned about the size and weight of their children and the government should allow them to do just that, bear their responsibility. They should know what the result will be if they allow their children to eat non-nutritional foods and are overweight. It makes no sense why the government should keep track of the size and weight of children and the should stay out of this.
This is just another big government programs to keep us safe from each other and cut costs. we americans don't want government doing things that we refuse to do.
If the Federal Government (and I use the term very loosely) wants to track all the info they can/want then they should help do something about it now. One year is more than enough time to gather all but the most extreme information.
P.S.
There is no such thing as anonymous.
Gary Bellew
MO
Yes. We have already learned that obesity is preventing a high percentage of military inductees from passing the physical. We may very well have to reinstate the draft if we continue going as we have been. It IS of primary importance to gov't/fellow citizens that our young population be able to serve if required. This, incidentally, was Truman's justification for national health care...