Pennsylvania to Require Schools to Record BMI of Students

In an effort to address the obesity epidemic, now a public health crisis, the Pennsylvania Department of Health will begin in the 2005 - 2006 school year to require that schools record Body Mass Index (BMI) measurements for students. Schools are to inform parents of the results, and recommend they consult their health care providers for more information. The revised Pennsylvania Growth Screening Program takes effect for grades K-4 the first year, and expands three additional grades each year thereafter, so that BMI will be recorded for grades K-12 by the 2007 - 2008 school year.

PANA's website (www.panaonline.org) offers information about the revised Growth Screening Program, and new information will be added to help schools and health care providers implement the program, communicate with parents about the program and their own child's BMI results and its implications, and to help schools in efforts to create healthier environments. The website also features information about East Penn School District in Lehigh County, one of the first in the state to voluntarily record BMI. After an initial flap from parents and the media, the district has successfully gained parent support as it's developed a number of programs to address childhood obesity, and has seen improvements not only in BMI numbers but in overall student attitude and performance.

Visit PANA's website for more information about the Growth Screening Program and PANA's Keystone Healthy Zone Schools campaign. As this initiative moves forward, further information will become available through PANA, County and Municipal Health Departments and the Pennsylvania Department of Health. If you have questions or concerns, please call 1-877-PA-HEALTH and ask for the school Health Consultant in your area, or contact the Division of School Health at (717) 787-2390.