Milford Children Slightly Above State Average for Obesity

More than a third of Milford public school students in four grades were either overweight or obese, according to preliminary results from Body Mass Index screenings mandated across Massachusetts schools in 2011.

In Milford, 34.8 percent of the students screened in four grade levels were either overweight or obese according to their BMI calculations. This was slightly higher than the overall average of 32.3 percent among participating districts.

In all, 254 school systems submitted the BMI data to the state Department of Public Health's School Health Unit. The report analyed the BMI information of more than 205,000 students, about 72 percent of the children in the affected grades.

The screenings were performed by school nurses for children in grades 1, 4, 7, and 10. Parents had the option of opting out their children. The BMI data was shared with parents by letter.

Among the overall findings of the state data, released in December:

• Of the state's screened students, 65.2 percent were a healthy weight; 16.7 percent were overweight; and 15.7 percent were obese.
• School systems had large variations in obesity/overweight rates. The highest was in Southbridge, with 51.8 percent of students. The lowest was in Needham, with 14.8 percent.
• The lowest percentage of obesity, by gender and grade, was found in 10th grade girls. The report states 12.6 percent of girls in 10th grade were obese.
• The highest percentage of obesity, by gender and grade, was found in 4th grade boys. The report indicates 18.9 percent of the fourth grade boys were obese.

In Milford, according to the report:

• 18.3 percent of screened students, in all the grades, were overweight.
• 16.6 percent of the screened students were considered obese.
• By gender, 35.2 percent of boys were either overweight or obese, compared to 34.4 percent of girls.
• Among first graders, the youngest students screened, 29.1 percent of the children were either overweight or obese.
• The highest percentage of students considered overweight or obese were in 7th grade, with 39.5 percent of the tested children.