Body Mass Index Prevalence Estimates of a Statewide Monitoring Initiative in Idaho

David R. Paul, University of Idaho College of Law
Philip Scruggs, University of Idaho
Grace Goc Karp, University of Idaho
Lynda Ransdell, Boise State University
Clay Robinson, Lewis and Clark State College
Mike Lester, Idaho State University
Laura Jones Petranek, Boise State University
Helen Brown, University of Idaho
Terry-Ann Gibson, Boise State University
Jane Shimon, Boise State University
Tyler Johnson, Boise State University
John Fitzpatrick, Idaho State University
Kathy Browder, University of Idaho
Zambak Sahin, University of Idaho

Abstract

Given the significant health consequences associated with childhood obesity, many states have developed legislation to initiate school-based obesity monitoring programs. Idaho is one of many states without a monitoring program, so collaborations between the State Department of Education and four state universities were developed to institute a body mass index (BMI) monitoring program in grades 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11.