State Implements Anti-Obesity Policy

Negotiations between lawmakers and the Department of Community Health on a controversial proposal to track obesity in children resulted in a new statewide policy to voluntarily report unique BMI information on Michigan children. The agreement was a slight departure from the original proposal outlined by Governor Rick Snyder last fall as a means to combat the State’s alarmingly high obesity rates.

In order to assure the voluntary nature of the program, a parent or guardian would have to provide written authorization in order for the information to be reported by their physician. Also, physicians are encouraged to also participate on a voluntary basis. Initially, the proposal urged, but did not require, physicians to report height and weight information about children, as they do with immunization information. The state always envisioned the program being voluntary.

DCH Director Olga Dazzo commented that Michigan has approximately 800,000 children already obese or facing weight problems. This initiative would help the state track those children and provide the resources necessary to combat this debilitating condition. However, critics have charged that the initiative is nothing other than a way to keep tabs on Michigan residents. To this, proponents have responded that no identifying information will be captured on participating subjects.

Under the agreement, parents would sign a consent form to have their child's height and weight information forwarded to a state registry.

posted by PAA Online , Friday, July 13, 2012 10:13 AM
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