Helping Food Addiction or Violating Privacy?

Scientists tell us that fat kids grow up to be fat adults. Whether this is due to a true addiction to food or simply the result of early bad habits doesn’t matter much; the consequences remain – diabetes, heart and blood pressure problems, and a lifetime of ridicule and prejudice. So, it seems like a good idea to intervene when children are young enough to teach new habits. However, since obesity isn’t a recognized, treatable disease state in children, interventions aren’t as popular as they might be. It’s not the same as requiring a vaccination.

The issue in question came to the fore when a Missouri school district told of plans to use “activity monitors” on students. These portable devices are worn on the wrist like a watch. They are capable, not only of monitoring motion, but also track where a child is. This can tell you if a kid is out at the park or stuck at home – perhaps in front of a computer or the television.

So far, the monitors have only been used in Missouri to check on children in physical education classes. This use is similar to having a monitor on while jogging or using a treadmill.

According to news reports, parents are complaining that such monitors will violate their children’s right to privacy and are an unnecessary intrusion. School officials say they are aware of this and don’t yet intend to send the monitors home with students.

The ball is in motion however. As obesity moves into being an accepted disease, activity monitors will be a part of the treatment. This would be added to other accepted practices, like providing a nutritious school lunch or encouraging physical activity. There is good evidence that the monitors do work and are accurate. In fact, a CNN report mentions a study out of Montreal where the devices were successful in changing behavior.

If they are to be used in our state, parents will have to be recruited by showing them benefits that outweigh the feared loss of privacy. Perhaps giving them the ability to turn the device off would suffice.