Some Kids Denied Access
If kids, or adult chaperones, had a BMI of 40 or higher they weren’t allowed to go.
“This policy is not meant to keep anyone out at all, and it’s just to make sure that they’re safe,” said Deron Smith, director of public relations for Boy Scouts of America tells CNN. “We offer thousands of summer camp experiences (that) do not have this requirement.”
Smith says the organization started a dieting and healthy eating initiative and encourages exercising. The BMI restriction is just an extension of this initiative, Smith says.
Disagreement Over Restrictions
The National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance issued a statement against the Boy Scouts’ BMI policy saying it, “believes that this decision promotes bias and negative attitudes and furthers the discrimination against boys of larger body size.”
Dr. Jennifer Shu, a pediatrician in Atlanta and CNN’s Living Well expert, also says the restrictions on children with a BMI of over 40 are somewhat discriminatory.
“Any organization can make their own rules, but as a pediatrician I feel like we should be promoting physical activity for everybody, be as inclusive as possible, and only exclude from activity if there’s a physical threat to their health,” she said.
Tell Us Your Thoughts
What do you think about the Boy Scouts’ policy? Is it a good idea? Is it discriminatory? Tell us your thoughts in the comment section below.
