State Requires BMI Screenings in Pennsylvania Schools

The Pennsylvania Department of Health's (DOH) annual school health screening procedures include calculating body mass index (BMI) to help track students' growth patterns and identify potential weight-related health problems. This has already been implemented for grades K-8 and that will extend to all remaining grades during the 2007-2008 school year.

About BMI

BMI is a measure of body weight adjusted for height.

In children and teens, "BMI-for-age" is plotted on gender specific growth charts, developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to assess:

Underweight
Overweight
Risk for overweight

Although BMI is not a definitive measure, it's a useful screening tool for tracking and analyzing students' growth patterns and for determining a child's risk for becoming overweight or obese.

Resources for school nurses, health care providers, and parents

The DOH and Pennsylvania Advocates for Nutrition and Activity (PANA) have developed information and resources to help educate schools, health care providers, parents and communities about the Growth Screening Program.

The Pennsylvania Medical Society's Family Health and Wellness website offers a variety of helpful resources for parents and kids:

BMI calculators that allow children and adults to check their own body fat. You can make this a fun family activity.
A free, interactive DVD that entertains as it teaches kids how to live healthy. "Max's Magical Delivery: Fit for Kids," created by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, targets children—ages five to nine—and their parents.
Weight management treatment programs, sorted by county, from the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare.
"Find-A-Physician" directory for anyone needing a family doctor or specialist.

For more information on the revised school health screening procedures, contact the DOH at (877) PA-HEALTH.

References and additional information

From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):

From Pennsylvania Advocates for Nutrition and Activity:

From the Pennsylvania Department of Health: