Fitness test replaces BMI mandate in school obesity bill

Cowards.

"Fearing a backlash from parents, Georgia lawmakers have stripped an anti-obesity bill of a key provision that would have forced students to climb on the scale for twice-yearly "weigh-ins." The data would be used to determine whether a child has a health body mass index, calculated through a combination of height and weight measurements."

Instead...

"Under the revamped bill, Georgia students would have to complete a physical fitness test instead. The details of that test would be determined by the state Department of Education, but the use of BMI would be banned."

Which requires the use of more resources and is of no known greater benefit.

"The bill's sponsor, Sen. Joseph Carter, said data shows that one in three Georgia children is either obese or at risk of obesity.

"This is a serious public health issue," the Tifton Republican said.

Carter's original legislation would have collected the BMI data of students and combined it to come up with a school average. That number would then be posted on school websites so that Georgians could see how their school stacked up, much like they currently do with test scores.

The BMI mandate passed in the state Senate over the objections of some GOP lawmakers who labeled it "nanny state legislation." It faced a rocky road in the House from Republican lawmakers who worried it was too intrusive.

Carter rewrote the measure to include a fitness test instead, which would likely include things like push ups and running.

Health advocates and physicians groups remained supportive, saying the new test was a more well-rounded way to judge a child's overall health."

That is pure crap.

And they are clearly not treating the matter as "a serious public health issue."

No one knows if one or two more push-ups, for example, makes someone healthier.

We do know that being overweight/obese makes one less healthy.

This legislation is obvious bullsh**.

Tax dollars being wasted.

Politicians who are waste.