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Body Mass Index Screenings and Family Fitness Initiative with the YMCA

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) mandated that BMI results be sent home to parents of children in grades 1,4,7,and 10. These letters are being mailed home in mid May and we want you to know that the BMI may not tell the whole story about your child's weight. Other things can affect your child's BMI. For example, BMI cannot tell the difference between muscle and fat. An athletic child with a lot of muscle may have a high BMI but not be overweight. As a community, we are all in this together and it will require incorporating many different modalities to help create a healthy environment for our children. Of the 1,171 students measured 60% of students are within normal weight. However, when looking at children whose BMI is 85% or greater (combining overweight and obese categories) than their peers, Beverly's numbers reveal that over 33% of children in grades 1,4,7,and 10 are overweight and/or obese. The Sterling Center YMCA has created a special fitness program for the first 40 families whose children were BMI screened and who register by end of June. The YMCA will provide personalized one-on-one fitness and nutrition counseling and unlimited access to the YMCA for 12 weeks FREE for a parent and child! Please call Andrew Walker, Director of Health and Wellness, at 978-564-3486 to register for this incredible fitness program called the Physical Activity Club (PAC).

I am the nurse leader for the Beverly Public Schools and I welcome your comments or concerns. I can be reached at 978-922-3229 ext 1165. We are all here to serve you.

Sincerely,

Cathy Riccio RN MSN