Page 6 - Aruba Today

A6
U.S. NEWSTuesday 15 March 2016
American Living:
Study questions impact of NYC students’ weight report cards
Students enter MS88, a public middle school in the Brooklyn borough of New York. When New
York City public schools began giving students report cards on their weight in 2005-2006, officials
hoped the information would help fight an obesity epidemic in the nation’s largest school system.
But a new study finds being labeled fat does not spur weight loss, at least among students near
the threshold for being flagged.
JENNIFER PELTZ
Associated Press
NEW YORK (AP) — When
New York City public
schools began giving stu-
dents report cards on their
weight a decade ago, of-
ficials hoped the informa-
tion would help fight an
New Jersey
WAYNE PARRY
Associated Press
TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — Voters
will be asked in November
whether to approve two
new casinos in the northern
part of the state under a
ballot question authorized
Monday by the Legislature.
It will mark the first time in 40 state constitution to repeal
years that the state’s voters
will have a say about ex-
panding casino gambling
in New Jersey.
And it could have far-
reaching consequences
for Atlantic City, which
obesity epidemic in the na-
tion’s largest school system.
But a new study finds being
labeled fat doesn’t spur
weight loss, at least among
students near the threshold
for being flagged.
The study, released Mon-
day in the Proceedings of
to vote on new
has already lost more than
half its casino revenue to
competitors in neighboring
states.
On a packed general elec-
tion ballot that also will in- Giants play, and in Jersey
clude presidential candi-
dates, voters will be asked
whether to amend the
a provision that limits casi-
nos only to Atlantic City. It
would authorize two new
casinos in separate coun-
ties at least 72 miles from
Atlantic City.
It doesn’t specify locations,
acuse University education just over the “overweight”
and economics professor or “obese” threshold for
Amy Ellen Schwartz. “You their age.
have to get it to people in The researchers found no
a way that’s actionable.” indication that those over
After weighing and mea- the lines lost weight. In fact,
suring its 1.1 million stu- the average overweight
dents, the school system girl gained a bit more than
gave each reports includ- did her cohort just below
ing a BMI number, weight the threshold.
percentile and, until last Although U.S. childhood
year, a designation: “un- obesity rates have leveled
derweight,” ‘’healthy off in recent years, even
weight,” ‘’overweight” or declining among pre-
“obese.” Those outside schoolers, more than one-
“healthy weight” were ad- third of children and ado-
vised to consult a health lescents nationwide were
professional. overweight or obese as
After the study ended, the of 2012, according to the
school district tweaked federal Centers for Disease
the language, substituting Control and Prevention.
“needs improvement” for Proponents see the read-
“overweight” or “obese.” outs as inexpensive, rela-
The reports aim “to spark tively unobtrusive tools to
conversations about eat- apply to a major public
ing habits and levels of health problem.
physical activity needed Critics feel the approach
for good health,” spokes- stigmatizes children and
(AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)
woman Toya Holness said fuels unhealthy anxieties
the National Academy of in a statement. about weight, based on
Sciences, adds to the de- Using four years of mea- a measurement that can
bate over the effects of surements for all New York mistake a muscular kid for
student body-mass index public school students, a flabby one. Massachu-
reports now issued in many Schwartz, Columbia Uni- setts abandoned its BMI-
schools nationwide. versity economist Douglas reporting requirement in
“It’s not enough just to get Almond and Columbia 2013, though parents still
the information out there,” graduate student Ajin Lee can request the informa-
said one of the authors, Syr- compared boys and girls tion.
Research has found mixed
casinos in November results. Child obesity rates
leveled off in Arkansas in
but the two most-talked- many people benefited. the first four years of school
about proposals are in the But conditions change, and screenings, but they were
Meadowlands sports com- when conditions change implemented alongside
plex in East Rutherford, and you don’t adapt, you other anti-obesity mea-
where the NFL’s Jets and become a dinosaur and sures. A study published
you become extinct.” last year in the Journal of
City, just across the Hudson Atlantic City Mayor Don Adolescent Health found
River from Manhattan. Guardian, a Republican, the BMI reports alone had
“This is a very historic day predicted that three of his no impact on Arkansas ju-
for New Jersey,” said As- city’s eight remaining ca- niors and seniors, who had
semblyman Ralph Caputo, sinos will close because already learned their mea-
an Essex County Democrat of new in-state competi- surements in earlier grades.
and former casino worker. tion; other officials and Studies in California, Mas-
“In 1976, casinos were ap- Wall Street analysts say as sachusetts and Mexico
proved for Atlantic City. It many as four could go un- also have found school BMI
was a monopoly that ex- der because of the new reports don’t have signifi-
isted for many, many years; competition.q cant effects on students’
waistlines. q