Effective April 1, 2007, legislation was passed in New York State that requires the health appraisals (physicals) of new entrants and students in grades pre-k, kindergarten, 2, 4, 7, & 10 to include an assessment of BMI (body mass index).

Recent changes to the New York State Education Law require a sample of school districts be selected to take part in a survey, reporting to the New York State Department of Health. If our district is selected to be a part of the survey, only summary information is sent. No names or individual student information is sent. However, you may choose to have your child's information excluded from the survey by contacting the health office. Bradford Central School HAS NOT been selected for the 2011-2012 school year.

 BMI is calculated using the student's height, weight, and age. This number helps health care providers know if a student's weight is in a healthy range or is too high or too low.

BMI measurements are interpreted as follows:

• under the 5th percentile = underweight
• 5th to 85th percentile = healthy weight
• 85th to 94th percentile = overweight
• over the 94th percentile = obese

BMI percentiles show how kids' measurements compare with others the same gender and age. For example, if a child has a BMI in the 60th percentile, 60% of the kids of the same gender and age who were measured had a lower BMI. BMI is not perfect. For example, it's very common for kids to gain weight quickly — and see the BMI go up — during puberty. Your doctor can help you figure out whether this weight gain is a normal part of development or whether it's something to be concerned about. www.kidshealth.org/parent/nutrition_fit/nutrition/bmi_charts.html