Document Type
Brief
Publication Date
12-1-2004
Keywords
Student health report, body mass index
Series Title
Office for Education Policy
Series Number
Volume 01 Issue 14
Abstract
In response to growing public concern about childhood obesity, the 2003 Arkansas General Assembly passed a measure requiring that school officials measure and report to parents each student’s body mass index (BMI) annually (§20-7- 135). Beginning in the 2003-2004 school year, schools were required to do the following: • include as a part of a student health report to parents an annual body mass index percentile by age for each student; and • to annually provide parents with an explanation of the possible health effects of body mass index, nutrition, and physical activity. This measure was one element of a larger collaborative effort between the state Departments of Education and Health to develop and implement nutrition and physical activity standards in order to “provide students with the skills, opportunities, and encouragement to adopt healthy lifestyles” (§20-7- 135).
Citation
McKenzie, S. C., & Ritter, G. W. (2004). Public Opinion About Measuring and Reporting of Student Body Mass Index. Policy Briefs. Retrieved from https://scholarworks.uark.edu/oepbrief/129