BILL NUMBER:  S7026

 TITLE OF BILL :
An act to amend the public health law, in relation to directing the
commissioner of health to disseminate education materials regarding
overweight and underweight children


 SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS :
Section 2599-d of the Public Health Law is amended by section 88 of
part B of chapter 58 of the Laws of 2005.

 JUSTIFICATION :
Currently, certain health certificates and tests are required by the
Education Law. This bill provides that measurement of body mass index,
and weight status category be added to the information that is
required in the health certificate.  This simple screening, which is
extrapolated from the height and weight measurements of students, can
be a critical tool in clearly identifying those students who are
overweight, or at risk of becoming overweight, and can give both the
child and parents a valuable frame of reference and a target to strive
for.  The bill requires the Department of Health to develop a uniform
set of information that can be used by schools and health
professionals across the state to ensure that both students, and
parents of guardians of at-risk children are properly informed of the
health risks their children face through either obesity or
              

underweight.

Childhood obesity is a terrible and growing problem. Similarly, eating
disorders which can lead to underweight also pose an unacceptable
health risk that must be addressed more aggressively. It is estimated
that 28% of New York high school children are overweight or at risk of
becoming overweight.  It is further estimated that 33% of low-income
children between 2 and 5 years of age in New York are overweight or at
risk of becoming overweight.  Unfortunately, childhood obesity
frequently leads to adult obesity, as well as the increased
probability of such illnesses as diabetes, heart disease, cancer,
osteoporosis and other diseases.

Identifying obesity, or the risk of becoming overweight, so that early
preventative action can be taken, is important to the health of our
young people. In most cases, this calculation will be made by the
student's pediatrician or physician, as part of the regular exam that
is currently required at regular intervals, and the Health Department
has provided physicians across the state with a simple wheel chart to
make this calculation at the time weight and height measurements are
made. For students who have not provided a health certificate, the
health appraisal that is offered pursuant to section 904 of the
Education Law will also include this important health measurement. In
either case, such measurement will be part of the regular confidential
report that is provided by a health professional.

 LEGISLATIVE HISTORY :
2005-06 - S.472-A - EDUCATION
2007-08 - A.7941 - Referred to Health

 FISCAL IMPLICATIONS :
None.

 EFFECTIVE DATE :
The first of September next succeeding the date upon which it shall
have become law.