Sudbury Public Schools

February 2010

Dear Parent or Guardian:

This letter is to let you know about the state’s new Body Mass Index (BMI) Screening Program for students in grades 1, 4, 7, and 10.  According to the new regulation, which was passed in April of 2009, schools must now collect height and weight measurements on students in the above grades. These measurements will then be used to calculate each child’s BMI. Sudbury has been already compiling student BMI data for the past several years well before this new regulation was passed.

A Body Mass Index, or BMI, is a measure that is used to show a person’s “weight for height for age.”  It is calculated using a formula that includes an individual’s height and weight. Just like a blood pressure reading or an eye screening test, a BMI can be a useful tool in identifying possible health risks.

A BMI does not tell the whole story about your child’s health status but provides you additional information about your child’s weight status.  BMI does not distinguish between fat and muscle. For example, if a child is very athletic and has a lot of muscle, his or her BMI may be high even though he or she is not overweight. That is why we encourage you to share the results with your child’s health care provider and have them explain to you the results of his or her BMI screening. They are in the best position to evaluate your child’s overall health.

Your child’s screening will be conducted by myself and privacy will be respected at all times. The results of your child’s height, weight, and BMI measurements are strictly confidential -- the results will be kept in your child’s school health record. Those students in grades 3, 4 and 5 will have their BMI included in the fitness assessments that are mailed home. If your child is in kindergarten, grades 1 or 2 please contact me directly in the health office if you would like those results.

Thank you,

Anne Chabot, RN

Nixon Health Office