BMI (Body Mass Index)
BMI (Body Mass Index)
The Pennsylvania’s Department of Health has revised procedures in growth screening for Pennsylvania’s school- aged children. In addition to height and weight, which has been part of the health screenings in Pennsylvania since 1949, the new regulations will now include the calculations of Body Mass Index.
Body Mass Index (BMI) is a screening tool used to assess underweight, overweight and the risk of overweight. BMI is calculated from body weight adjusted for height, age and gender. BMI in children is age and gender specific because body mass changes as children grow, and boys and girls differ in BMI as they mature.
According to the state guidelines, the purpose of the BMI is to:
- Monitor growth and development patterns of students.
- Identify students who may be at nutritional risk or who may have a common nutritional problem
- Notify parents/guardians of screening results with a recommendation to share findings with the student’s health care provider for further evaluation and intervention if necessary
- Height, weight, and BMI will be measured during the District’s routine fall health screenings. After the school nurses have completed the BMI calculations, all parents/guardians may view their child’s height, weight, and BMI in Skyward.