State Requires BMI Screenings in Pennsylvania Schools
The Pennsylvania Department of Health's (DOH) annual school health screening procedures now include calculating body mass index (BMI) to help track students' growth patterns and identify potential weight-related health problems.
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:
For more information on the revised school health screening procedures, contact the DOH at (877) PA-HEALTH.
References and additional information
From the CDC:
From the DOH:
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Last Updated: 7/8/2010