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Know Your BMI

Published March 6, 2008

“Know Your BMI” which simply stands for Body Mass Index is one of WCS’s Coordinated School Health top 10 healthy habits.  Part of Governor Phil Bredesen’s platform for Tennessee includes a strong health initiative.  State legislators have passed into law a new Coordinated School Health system.  This became effective for all Tennessee public schools on July 1, 2007.  Within our CSH requirements, a BMI screening for grades K, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 9 is included. 

As our school system prepares to send out information in regards to the result of this screening, it is important to keep the following in mind:

  • The human body goes through many natural changes during the elementary school, middle school and even high school years.  This can affect a BMI screening result.
  • Regardless of the BMI result, it should be kept in proper perspective.  If there are concerns, parents may choose to ask questions of health professionals, those who a parent knows can provide an expert opinion.  A child’s personal physician is an excellent resource. 
  • The measurement of body fat is important since excessive body fat or too little body fat increases the chance for health risks.
  • Though a respected tool, BMI is not the best way to measure a person’s body fat.  In dealing with a mass population though, it is currently the best method available. 
  • A BMI reading does not lead to the correct conclusion 100% of the time.  For example, a child may fall into the overweight risk category, but actually be well defined and muscular and not be at a current health risk level.   
  • BMI is simply a tool and one of many resources used to help assess possible health risk.  It is not a strict standard and should not be interpreted as such.  
  • If you’d like more information and even have your BMI calculated for you, visit the Center for Disease Control web site at http://www.cdc.gov  Scroll to the bottom of the page and under tools and resources there is a link for a BMI calculator. 

The CSH office makes the following recommendations to all school community members: 

  • Be involved in consistent, healthy lifestyle practices.
  • Follow sound nutritional guidelines for healthy eating, not a fad or crash diet.  (Foods and drinks such as candy, chips and soft drinks should be limited.)
  • Families should encourage physical activity rather than television, non-educational computer use and video games.  (Today’s child averages 6.5 hours per day using these various forms of media.)