Weigh-in for preschoolers, but PE's still out

Columbus schools will begin weighing preschoolers as part of a new program to "catch obesity cases early and stem rapidly growing health problems." (Source: "Preschoolers to get weight screenings," Columbus Dispatch, Oct. 3, 2007.) "The Early Intervention and Weight Management Program is sponsored by the United Way of Central Ohio, which is donating $16,850 to Columbus schools to hire a certified school nurse to manage the program part time. It will operate in the district's 17 preschools." If preschoolers are found to be overweight, their families will be referred to a weight-management program which includes courses on nutrition and fitness. The program could start in spring 2008.

As the article states, a few months ago the Columbus school district cut back on the number of physical-education teachers in schools. According to Columbus physical-education teacher Mary Kennett, this has led to the "near elimination" of PE classes for preschoolers in the district. The article also references the Ohio Public Health Association Web site, which says that "10 percent of preschoolers between 2 years old and 5 years old are overweight."