Charger News

BMI: the first step to healthier students

Jenna King, Design Editor

During the week of Nov. 1, Putnam county schools, in cooperation with Dr. Chuck Womack and Cookeville Regional Medical Center, conducted a BMI/blood pressure check on all students. Cookeville schools health program coordinator, Sandra Ellis was the county wide coordinator for this check. Assistant Principal Karen Brooks was the liason at CHS. During this week, all students had their weight, height, and blood pressure taken. The BMI will be calculated and mailed back to each student in the spring. Students names will remain confidential.

BMI stands for body mass index. This is the measure of percent body fat. BMI is calculated by dividing the weight in kilograms by the square of the height in meters. High blood pressure, high blood glucose, high triglycerides, low HDL, and/or increased waist size are important heart disease factors. Two-thirds of U.S. teens already have at least one of these factors. A better diet and exercise regimen are proven to decrease the risk of heart disease.

According to Ms. Brooks, the information is for the county’s use. In the past year , the questions of snack machines in schools and required physical education have been raised. Avery Trace Middle School Principal Dr. Tom Graves acted on this and removed every snack machine from the school and required every student to take P.E. at least twice a week.

The statistics that are gathered through the testing will prove whether or not these simple changes have affected the student body’s health. The county wide statistics will help determine the next course of action towards healthier students.