Fined For Unhealthy Parenting? In Puerto Rico, Parents May Soon Be Fined Up To $800 For Raising An Obese Child
Childhood obesity has more than doubled among children in the United States and quadrupled among adolescents in the past 30 years, but did you know that while 18 percent of children on the U.S. mainland are considered obese, the same can be said about over 28 percent of children in Puerto Rico? A new bill proposal in Puerto Rico has parents up in arms over the possibility of being fined up to $800 for raising an obese child.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, children who are considered obese have a body mass index (BMI) at or above the 95th percentile for children of the same age and sex. Young people struggling with obesity are significantly more likely to have risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease and diabetes, such as high cholesterol or high blood pressure.
Sen. Gilberto Rodriguez (PDP) released a statement on Monday claiming the bill was part of an effort to improve children’s well-being and help parents make healthier decisions. Public school teachers would be responsible for identifying possibly obese children and referring them to a counselor or social worker, The Associated Press reported. Parents would then meet with Health Department officials to decide if the child’s obesity is the result of poor eating habits, lack of exercise, or a medical condition.
After parents meet with Health Department officials, the child would be put on a diet-and-exercise program which includes monthly visits to ensure the child is adhering to the program. The child will receive another evaluation six months after the start of the program. If the situation does not improve within another six months to a year, the parents would face the possibility of a $500 to $800 fine. Public hearings for the bill are scheduled to begin this Friday.
Among those who are against the bill and claim it is “unfair” are several doctors, including the president of Puerto Rico’s chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Some critics who call the bill “fat shaming” say this type of motivation will not be effective in the long run. A recent study published in PLOS ONE found that people who are subjected to fat shaming or weight discrimination are 2.5 times more likely to become obese.
The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) found itself in a similar situation after it banned Scouts with a BMI over 40 from attending its National Scout Jamboree back in July 2013. Both Scouts and leaders had to perform a demanding test of physical fitness and had their BMIs calculated before they received an invitation to the Jamboree. BSA representatives said their weight standards for the Jamboree were due to activities that "require more stamina and fitness too-think climbing, rappelling, rafting, mountain biking, and skateboarding."