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Boy Scouts organization places weight restrictions on some outings

When will we quit fat bashing? It's possible for people to be "overweight" and still active and healthy. I'm considered "obese" because of my BMI, but my blood pressure is great, blood sugar is great, heart is healthy, cholesterol is low, etc. I swim, walk, dance, and hike. I eat whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and lean meats. I eat minimal high fat/sweet foods. Isn't it time to define health without using a scale?

The BSA is not intending to "fat bash." They're trying to prevent medical emergencies. Certainly, the criteria isn't perfect and could be made more complicated in order to accommodate people who are healthier than their BMIs would indicate. But they're not fat bashing. They're looking out for their volunteers.

I think the idea is good but maybe the criteria they are using is bad. Why not set limits on cholesterol levels. Say no one over total cholesterol of 175 can do it. Also, no one who smokes,has diabetes, or high blood pressure. I would think all these factors would be a better predictors of heart attacks than weight or BMI.

runs marathons thank you very much!

Maybe the BSA is going from preaching to meddling! LOL

Weight Restrictions? No problem. Most of the scout troops I see only do the usual Friday 5pm to Saturday 10am campouts anyway.

If the leaders have to park more than 100 feet from their campsite, they balk because that's too far to carry their Camp Chef grills for the breakfast they fix for their boys. The boys deserve better.

My BMI is at an over weight level and always has been. It is just the way I was built. I have a 34 inch waistline, am 6'3", and have a body fat percentage of about 10, well within the healthy range.

This regulation is stupid, it fails to take in your actual physical condition as well as body type. Long and short of it if your BMI is over about 32, then stick to driving your car to camp grounds, is what BSA is telling us.

I guess I will stick to running marathons and Ironman Triathlons.

I'm sure the BSA are looking out for their volunteers, the boys, and everyone else involved for a number of safety issues.

But who knows? Maybe this is attorneys talking, as well. Maybe they're worried about liability issues in our overly-litigious society. Think about it: overweight, unhealthy, clogged-artery leader has a heart attack on the trail where no help can be found. Then something happens to one of the boys, too, as a result of the incident. Ambulance chasers are busting down the doors of the families of those involved, looking to make a quick buck off the BSA.

It could happen. It wouldn't surprise me if that's part of the BSA's motivation.

My brother was a Scout leader for 18 years.
People appreciated his service, enthusiasm and loyalty, but the wiser ones didn't follow his example with regard to eating.
His choice of obesity cost him his life before reaching 50.
And that cost his troop (and family) an otherwise great leader.

When will fat people stop whining?

The problem here is serious. I personally know of scoutmasters who can't hike a short trail with their troop because they are simply too fat.

Being overweight causes knee and back problems, puts you at higher risk of diabetees, heart disease, stroke and a multitiude of other problems.

Most scout troops I work with don't even go backpacking any more because the scoutmaster can't do it. That is pathetic.

No wonder many boys loose interest in scouting so quickly...what do they have to look up too? That fat guy in kakhi shorts who can't walk? Nice...

I for one applaud the BSA for taking this step. A scoutmaster should be the example of fitness and health as well as knowledge and spirituality. In short, he should live the Scout Law and Oath.

Don't be fooled in believing you can't have a heart attack. Don't have hard feeling for a good organization that is trying to save your life and set a good example to save the lives of millions of young boys.

This is a good move to fight obeseity. Much better than government regulations over fast food restruants like they do in the liberal cities.

This is a matter of liability. It is intended to make it possible to save lives and prevent lawsuits. Whether own is healthy or not is immaterial. The fact is simple: obese individuals are more likely to have heart attacks and stroke as well as many other health difficulties.

The quote from the 40-year-old scout leader is classic. "I understand and support it but it's sad that it will exclude many good leaders." Wouldn't they be even better leaders if they led by example? Obesity is rapidly becoming the number one health issue in the United States due to all the risks involved with it.

When are we as a people and individuals going to start taking personal responsibility for our actions instead of blaming someone else for our problems?

When I was a boyscout we had an obese fellow who helped in scouting. He always was last on the hikes and once the boys locked him out of his own car and chanted "Jabba the Hut! Jabba the Hut!" while he fumed at the boys. The poor man deserved better.

Fat people have serious health hurdles that may not be conducive to the activities boyscouts have to do. The boys aren't stupid, they pick up on any weakness.

I've noticed that in the church scouting program the leaders generally avoid calling those who are significantly overweight. I think this rule has been in place informally for a while now.

Don't kid yourself. The BSA is interested in one thing only: limiting liability to prevent a lawsuit.

and I just lost 30 pounds by making a deal with my students. If I lose the weight by the end of May (I started in February) then all of my classes get a pizza party. It cost me $231 for the pizza but I had 180 supporters everday. You would never thought I was obese or had any health issues by looking at me. I did have several minor health issues before the weight loss and now have none.

Even though me losing weight was all about me it grew to be about all of the students. They are more aware of obesity, it's consequences, and the importance of a helathy life style.

Good job Boy Scouts.

this countyr and world need leaders, not rationalizers.
i'm glad boys get inpired by scout leaders to overcome problems and temptatons, not just give in to apetites.
Anything to encourage leaders to wake up and take charge of thir own behaviros would be a boon for the young men they lead.

@Scout Mom... I assume you're a woman. Female bodies are generally better equipped to deal with excess fat. The health risks to men being obese are far more pronounced. Besides you're never gonna be a scout leader... again because you're a woman. And since high adventure scouting is high impact, it's doubtful the leader could keep up with the young men if they were severely impeded by their body weight.

There was a fat kid in our scouting program. He was a nice guy but nobody really treated him very nicely. I think if the boys were encouraged to scale their activities to each boy's level of ability, and were taught to encourage each other in doing better, this could go a long way to dispelling some of the knee-jerk aversion boys feel towards those that are different than them.

The BSA is not "fat bashing". The volunteers are important, and need to take care of themselves for the sake of the young people they are leading.

Get I won't be called as a scout master! I have high cholesteral. Actually your number is off a bit. Anything under 200 is normal. But I like the 175 number. That would mean I could improve my health without running the risk of being called as a scoutmaster. Just having a little fun.