The medical form referred to here is for adults and for the boys. Although most posters here have referred only to leaders, the boys have the same restrictions as the adults.

I for one have some serious work to do. This is one way to motivate me to stop setting such a bad example for my boys and do a better job of protecting my family's interests.

I find some of these comments hard to believe.

For one, when you see the prevalence of childhood obesity and the problems it causes children in terms of diabetes and so on, you would think any adult leader would desire to set a good example by watching their own weight. For the most part, kids eat what older people eat; and if the foods are high in fat, and you yourself are so heavy you are a health risk, then you already know for yourself this is not good.

The denial of such a state is very serious as it affects one's own health and the welfare of families, groups, and so on. One's doctor can tell you these things but when BSA lays out a rule it is taken by some as an offense. All they want is reasonable body weight.

You can still pack a few pounds, yet being obese in a society that shuns exercise and proper weight management, the only responsible action that remains is on the side of good health practices. It is part of what one does when they say "I will do my best."

Most Scout Leaders in Utah are also Young Men leaders in the Church.

Being obese is a violation of the Word of Wisdom.

I think these restrictions should be incorporated into the Temple Recommend: No obese people should be allowed in the Temple especially if they have to walk up stairs!

And obese people should not be allowed to be Seminary teachers, either.

Again, I encourage you all to do a little research before ignorantly commenting on something. Below are the maximum allowed weights for the listed height (in inches):
60 - 166
62 - 178
64 - 189
66 - 201
68 - 214
70 - 226
72 - 239
74 - 252
76 - 267
78 - 281

So Mr. 6'2", 240 pounds would still be allowed to participate. Additionally, there are so many leaders who are called and they never bother to get trained, so they will probably disregard this guideline just like they disregard all the other guidelines in the Guide to Safe Scouting. Don't knock the organization before you get the facts and try to understand the principles behind the decisions that are made!

As an over 50, over weight, 27 year veteran scouter, serving as scoutmaster, also teaching Leader Specific Training(Scouts)for our district, I find myself "out of shape" for the next major hike. Last time I hiked Union Falls and the Scout Pools in Yellowstone from Camp Loll I was afraid coming back up "Cardiac Hill" that I'd have one. I don't plan on making the hike this year but I do have younger more fit assistants and dads that will. Scouting requires passing a physical and now being within weight, we also need to know our personal limits. Our unit has a 90 year old scouter, for whom we need a seventy year service pin, his limits include an occasional courtof honor and board of review. He can't do what he once did but his contribution to help young men has been significant for generations.

To those who bash BSA or overweight leaders please consider all the good that has been and will yet be accomplished - by volunteers. Jump in and volunteer too, help make our young men better. Don't give up on one of the best institutions the world has ever known.

i believe that this is a good move with a poor criteria/implementation---in my personal experience bmi is more likely to be a predictor of future health problems than imminent heart attack/stroke brought on by activity---when i was younger i was regularly estimated to be around 220-250 lbs. by those guessing my weight when i reality i carried over 350 lbs.---back then i really had no problems with any strenuous activity including scout high adventure---of course bmi would have shown me to be obese my entire life having graduated high school at 240 lbs. and 6 ft.---i was back then immensely strong and in demand whenever a piano needed moving---however things change and i would not now go on a scout trip even if unrestricted by bsa because it would not be smart or fun---my bmi has not changed but my ability to perform, or persevere physically, has---

When there are this many comments I don't usually take time to read them. As a former scouter-and not over weight, I wonder if one of the reason for the restrictions on weight is because of the problem it would be for even a group of healthy scouts to carry an over weight individual back to a trail regardless of the reason.

Now there is a way to get out of the dreaded Scoutmaster calling in Church - Just gain 50 lbs and youi are free and clear - Grab the Crown Burger today !!!

Having fit leaders is a worthy goal for the BSA. Using BMI is the least scientific way of counting that goal. Unlike hydrostatic weighing or skin fold caliper measurements, BMI does not take skeletal structure into account. As has been related, if a person has a heavy bone structure, they can be counted as obese by BMI when other more accurate measures will leave them safely outside that range.

Another point here is that BMI says nothing about the general physical condition of the individual. A person can be in the non-obese range by BMI and still have a level of physical conditioning that makes their participation in high adventure activities dangerous.

My son is a weight lifter, football player,track discus/shotput and wrestler. He has a BMI of 20, but he has been told by the boy scouts that he can not go on the Philmont scouts hike because he is not in the height/weight requirments. He has been trying to lose weight all Spring and he has lost about 6 lbs. He went to the doctor and he was tested and found his thryoid is almost not functional. So he started medication for that last week. The doctor told us that until he gets his thyroid output correct he could starve himself and he won't lose weight. I would suggest that in a rescue situation they could use a few guys like my son to help carry others. He had been working out climbing hills for the last month with a 50 lb backpack with the other kids he was to go with. We have one boy that is with in the weight/height standards that but is a couch potato, he will really struggle and he is going. The whole thing is a crock.